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***November 1997***

**July-September 1997 Highlights**

*Image: Top U.S.Planting Seed Export Markets****Image: TopU.S. Planting Seed Exports by Kind****Image: TopU.S. Planting Seed Imports by Kind*

**General Trade Summary**

U.S. planting seed exports during July-September 1997 totaled184,593 metric tons valued at $170.6 million, increases of 12 and21 percent, respectively, over the same period in 1996. Importsfor the period totaled 30,322 tons (10 percent below a year ago)valued at $65.5 million (6 percent above last year).

**Attache Reports**

Following are excerpts from U.S. AgriculturalAttache reports recently received in FAS/Washington. Copies ofthe complete reports may be obtained by contacting the Cotton,Oilseeds, Tobacco, and Seeds Division at the address, telephoneor Fax number listed on the back cover.

South Africa (Report number SF7039): The South Africanseed market was valued at $153 million in 1996. Of that, nearly80 percent was domestically produced and marketed and 11 percentexported while 7 percent was imported. Imports from the UnitedStates reached nearly $6 million or about 51 percent of totalimports. The U.S. seed industry is well known in South Africa.Some U.S. firms have already established subsidiaries in SouthAfrica and others are planning to do so.

South Korea (Report number KS7072): Marketopportunities for U.S. planting seed are best for vegetable andflower seeds although growth in market share will be difficult atbest. Korea is experiencing growth in the horticulturalproduction sector which translates into increased opportunities.However, imports comprise only 10 percent of the vegetable andflower seed market and it is dominated by Japan. Thus, while U.S.export sales of vegetable and flower seed may increase, improvingon the current 20 percent market share may be exceedinglydifficult.

The Seed Industry Act, passed in 1996, is scheduled to go intoeffect on December 31, 1997 although the necessary enactingPresidential and Ministerial decrees have not been issued as ofmid-November. The act accomplishes several things: it combinesall previous seed laws into one; it establishes plant breedersrights with protection for 20 years; it establishes a NationalCertified Seed List; it liberalizes production of major staplecrop seeds, allowing private sector production; it establishes anational seed certification system; and, it liberalizes importsof all planting seeds except for seeds of the five major staplecrops.

Hungary (Report number HU7022): U.S. seed varietieshave developed an excellent reputation in Hungarian agriculture.Hungarian corn production has been dominated by Americanvarieties for many years. However, much potential remains forU.S. varieties in the oilseed, forage and horticulture sectors.In particular, opportunities exist for U.S. freeze tolerantalfalfa varieties as Western European varieties do not appear tobe hardy enough for Hungarian winters.

China (Report number CH7053): Currently, the outlookfor U.S. and other foreign seed sales to China is guardedly good.There is no doubt that Chinese agricultural experts are lookingto U.S. companies for answers to improve crop yields. The mainproblem now is one of contradictions within China. PartChina’s growing pains seem to be in finding a balancebetween the old state companies and free enterprise asillustrated by the active recruitment of high-tech germplasm fromwestern companies and the new regulations which severely limitthe activities of foreign companies operating within China.

**Trade Inquiries**

The following trade inquiries were recently submitted by aU.S. agricultural office for publication as a "TradeLead." For more information about Trade Leads call202-690-3416.

Seeds for Sowing, soybean [1201.00.00.20(0)]-Hong Kong (HK).QUANTITY: 100,000 MT. QUALITY: USA # 2. DELIVERY: December, 1997- January, 1998. PACKAGING: In bulk. OTHER: . QUOTE: C&F tomain port of China. BANK: Chang Hwa Commercial Bank Limited, HongKong Branch. CONTACT: Mr. Kwok Tsim TSUI, Hong Kong Mutual GroupCo. Ltd., Room 1514, 15/F., Argyle Center, Phase 1, No. 688Nathan Road, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong Phone: (852) 2395-3999FAX: (852) 2305-3362. [Ref Num: 19971126-0127-Hong Kong(HK1)]

SEEDS FOR SOWING, GRASS SEED MIX (FOR SOCCER FIELD)[1209.21.00.00(0)]-Saudi Arabia (SA). QUANTITY: minimumcontainer. QUALITY: to be determined but must contain bermuda40%, fescue k-31 37%, manhattan rye 23%. DELIVERY: December,1997. PACKAGING: to be determined. OTHER: must come from cropyear 1997; minimum germination of 90-95%; pertinentcertifications among them for viability period & freedom fromseed-borne diseases; must meet Saudi Ministry of Agriculturerequirements. QUOTE: C&F. BANK: National Commercial Bank, PoBox 3555, Jeddah 21481, Saudi Arabia. CONTACT: Tarek Al Zuhhaibi,Afnan Business & Trading Co. Ltd., Po Box 2615, Jeddah, SaudiArabia 21461. Phone: 966-2-660-4539 FAX: 966-2-665-8870. [RefNum: 19971123-0182-Riyadh(SA2)]

 

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*For more information contact theauthor,**Loyd Coonrod**, of the Cotton, Oilseeds, Tobacco and SeedsDivision at**202-720-9491.*

 

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| *Last modified: Wednesday, June 24, 1998* |