b'The Long View in a Season of UncertaintyTHE FLOWER ANDvegetable seed industry hasWater is another critical concern, particularly in always been cyclical. Those of us who have spent ourCalifornia. Drought conditions, groundwater regula-careers in this space understand that we experiencetions and competition for limited resources add uncer-very high highs and very low lows and that the pendu- tainty for growers and seed producers alike. Taken lum inevitably swings back. What feels different todaytogether, labor, water and input costs make long-term is the level of uncertainty we are navigating and howplanning increasingly difficult and reinforce the cau-long it has lingered. tious mindset shaping much of the seed and produce From my vantage point on the West Coast, itssupply chain.clear that our industry has not fully rebounded to BY LISA BRANCO,pre-pandemic norms. While much of the economyThe Economy and Consumer DemandGeneral Manager,has reopened, planted acreage remains down, timingThe broader economy continues to influence where Radicle Seedacross the production chain feels off and growers, seedour industry stands. Inflation and shifting consumer Company & Headstartcompanies and downstream partners alike are hesitantspending habits have impacted fresh produce con-Nursery Californiato make long-term commitments. That hesitation con- sumption as well as discretionary purchases such as Seed Associationtinues to ripple through the supply chain. ornamentals and fresh market flowers. With an increas-Board Member ing population but declining or stagnant production Consolidation, Acreage Shifts and acreage, this imbalance is not sustainable long term.Regional Change As a result, many across the supply chain are One of the most noticeable shifts has been ongoingdelaying commitments and adjusting plans season by grower consolidation. As margins tighten and risksseason rather than investing with confidence.increase, fewer growers are shouldering more acreage, Alignmentwhile others are scaling back or exiting altogether. AtChoosing Perspective and Looking Aheadthe same time, acreage reductions and regional shiftsDespite these challenges, agriculture is resilient and between seedare accelerating as companies look for ways to managethe seed industry is built on long-term thinking, inno-companies,costs, labor availability and regulatory pressure. vation and adaptability. Rebounds follow periods of growers andCalifornia remains a cornerstone of global agricul- disruption.ture, producing more than one-third of all vegetablesClear, open communication across the industry will customers allowsgrown in the United States and roughly three-quartershelp. Alignment between seed companies, growers more effectiveof the nations fruits and nuts. Yet rising land values,and customers allows more effective response to shift-response toregulatory complexity, water constraints and laboring demand, better risk management and regained challenges continue to make production more difficult.confidence in the production cycle.shifting demand,While diversifying production regions can be a smartOur shared purpose stands out: regardless of better riskrisk-management strategy, the pace of change shouldeconomic conditions, regulatory pressures or market managementgive our industry pause. volatility, we feed the world.The path forward will require collaboration, trans-and regainedLabor, Inputs and the Cost of Doing Business parency and a willingness to rethink how we as an confidence in theLabor remains one of the most pressing challengesindustry do business. The challenges are real, but so is production cycle. facing seed production today. Wage increases,the opportunity. If we stay engaged, aligned and com-persistent labor shortages and compliance require- mitted to the long view, the seed industry will not only ments have driven costs higher. These pressures areendure this moment of uncertainty, it will define what compounded by rising input costs across nearly everycomes next. This moment calls for leadership, transpar-category, including seed production, fertilizers, cropency and long-term thinking, because how we navi-protection products, energy, transportation and pack- gate today will define the future of our industry. SW aging.48/ SEEDWORLD.COMFEBRUARY 2026'