b'Seed Trade Blooms as Demand Booms Figures analyzed by APSA show that in 2018 more than $4.14 billion worth of sowing seed was traded to or from countries in the APSA region (East, Central, West, South and Southeast Asia; Oceania; the South Pacific) constituting 13.19% of global seed exports, and 19.83% of importsworth $11.67 billion and $13.12 billion, respectively. Hence the APSA regions $4.1 billion share of the international sowing seed trade represents roughly 16.7% of the $24.8 billion World Trade Organization (WTO) market. That figure represents trade in seed for forage, field, veg-etable and ornamental crops reported by WTO countries and logged by the International Trade Commission. Trade in seed potato, seed for various spices, oil seeds and oleaginous fruits is not included.Imports constituted $2.61 billion worth of APSAs sowing seed trade in 2018; exports US$1.53bnfor a net deficit of over $1 bil-lion. International trade in sowing seed grew in 2018, with APSA country exports increasing year- on-year by 4.8% and imports up 6%, while averages for all WTO countries were up 7.2% and 3.7% respectively. Top APSA Exporters Surpassing China as the regions top seed exporter in 2018 was India, with exports of $284.3 million18.4% of APSA seed exports and about 2.4% of the WTO total. Exceptional growth was recorded in maize seed (+69% to $69.1 million) and unhusked paddy (+47% to $91.1 million). Second-place China saw year-on-year (y-o-y) export increases, by 8.3% to $215.5 milliontaking 1.85% of global, and 14% of APSA, market share. Thailand ran third with exports worthLeading import growth was the Philippines (up 69.5%), fol-$195.7 million (1.6% world, 12.7% APSA); followed by Israel ($156.5lowed by Myanmar (47%), Malaysia (22%), Pakistan (20%), Hong million), New Zealand ($135.7 million), Japan ($115.7 million) andKong (18.8%) and Israel (18.7%). Australia ($99.6 million). APSA Trade Balance Top APSA ImportersAmong APSA countries with positive seed trade balances, Chinese sowing seed imports totaled $477.9 million in 2018 (byseven were notable: Thailand ($163.9 million), India ($162.8 far the most in APSA), a 15% y-o-y increase over 2017. Second wasmillion), Israel ($107.9 million), New Zealand ($31.6 million), ASC 2019 hosts, Malaysia, logging $384.2 milliona 22% jump;Singapore ($5.6 million), Hong Kong ($3.9 million) and Indonesia then Japan ($235.3 million), Pakistan ($201.9 million), Turkey ($172($2.38 million). Most APSA countries depend on inbound seed million), South Korea ($168 million) and India ($121.4 million).for domestic crops and re-export. Meanwhile demand grows, not only in terms of quantity, but especially for quality seed. APSA Growth Markets Several countries logged substantial export growth in 2018 overAPSA and the Effects of COVID-192017: the Philippines (55%), Pakistan (51%), India (45%), TurkeyThe seed trade is highly international with large volumes of seed (36%), Jordan (32%), Georgia (28%) and Indonesia (21%). Theshipped across borders to meet farmers demand across the highest increase occurred in Kyrgyzstan, an explosive y-o-yAsia and Pacific region. In 2018, more than $4.1 billion worth of jump of 364%; the Central Asian nations overall export valuesowing seed was traded in the region, constituting about 14% of nonetheless trails most other APSA lending urgency to the drivethe global seed trade. This trade is essential for the regions food for cooperation in overcoming such challenges as climate vola- and nutrition security and economic prosperity. Yet shipments tility, spreading pests, and uncertain geopolitical factors.are affected by lockdowns imposed by governments across the APSA is in the process of compiling trade data from 2019 andregion to stem the COVID-19 pandemic. Although many govern-will report on the latest trends in Q2 or Q3.ments have since recognized seeds and other agricultural inputs INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2020SEEDWORLD.COM /17'