b'HISTORIC SURGE DEMANDS MORE SEEDSBoom in organic markets brings high demand for organic seed.IN 2020,a year that will long be rememberedgrowth during most years. Organic products are now for a variety of reasons, organic seed companiesavailable in nearly 3 of 4 conventional grocery stores, saw a historic surge in sales. In some cases, says Kikiusually carrying premium prices over conventional Hubbard of the Organic Seed Alliance, companiesproducts. Organic sales account for over 4% of total experienced a tripling in sales compared to the yearU.S. food sales, and a larger percentage in many cat-before.egories. The surge in demand provided challenges in man- Sales in the U.S. for organic fruits, vegetables, meat aging distribution in a timely manner, Hubbard says.and milk increased by 31% in 2019 over the prior year COVID concerns led to restrictions in the workplace asto $9.93 billion, according to the USDA. California leads well, which meant these enterprises were working withthe nation in organic sales and acreage, with 3,012 FRANK ZAWORSKI fewer staff to fulfill sales. As the year comes to an end,organic farms covering close to 1 million acres that is a veteran journal- companies report that sales are still much higher com- generated more than $3.5 billion in sales in 2019.ist, native Minnesotanpared to past years, and so now, inventory concernsAccording to Canada Organic Trade Association and former Seedloom large.data for 2017, there were 4,800 organic producers in World editor whoThe increased demand for organic seed is anCanada and an estimated 3.2 million acres of organic dropped out of theimportant opportunity for organic seed growers tocrop production.rat race in 2013. Frankscale up their operations, if their production capacityThe growth in demand for organic products has and his wife Lindaallows, to fulfill more seed contracts with seed compa- likewise fueled significant demand for organic seed for live on the shore ofnies, says Hubbard.row crops, fruits and vegetables.the Sea of CortezWe believe the increased demand for organic seed near the southerncan be attributed to a combination of events, includingRow Cropstip of Mexicos Bajapanic over food supply chain disruptions and food secu- The demand for organic row crop grain, corn and California peninsularity concerns, and growing interest in gardening nowsoybeans particularly, continues to go up but the rate where, when hethat more people are thinking about the source of theirof growth is slowing, says Mac Ehrhardt of Albert is not freelancing,food and spending more time at home, Hubbard adds. Lea Seed who co-chairs the American Seed Trade enjoys fly fishingAssociations (ASTA) Organic Seed Committee with for dorado, golf andExplosive Growth Erica Renaud of Enza Zaden. expanding his searchThe demand for organic products in North AmericaGrowth in demand for organic seed will continue for the perfect carneand around the world has been growing explosivelyto be good for row crops and fruits and veggies, ahumada. over the past decade. According to the USDAsEhrhardt says. However, there are a couple things that Economic Research Service, consumer demand formay be lowering prices for organic grains. We have organically produced goods has shown double-digitseen in 2020 a dramatic drop in the price of organic 18/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2020'