b'Adjusting to a New Normal Diego Risso of the Seed Association of the Americas chats with Seed World about members experiences during COVID-19.Alex MartinDURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED SW: Have you experienced any time of uncertainty, the Seedshortages in any crops?Association of the Americas (SAA) hasDR: In short, not yet! Our members do not been committed to the agri-food chain see any major issues currently. According especially when it comes to ensuring theto Mexico, seed companies are reduc-supply of high-quality seeds necessary toing their production programs due to the guarantee the production and availabilitydecline in distribution and sale and this of healthy and safe food.could have impacts in the medium term. While companies are all adapting theirFor example, in the case of corn seed that business to the new normal of workingis mainly sold in March, April and May to during COVID-19, SAA reached out tosow the spring-summer cycle, it will be their members for more information onaffected and therefore there might be a how their businesses have been affecteddrop in the production of corn grain.by COVID-19. In particular, SAA lookedOn the other hand, companies that at whether or not the movement of seedimport and provide vegetative mate-was affected, seed shortages have beenrial for the ornamental sector have been noticed or if any restrictions have beenmainly affected by the exchange rate. placed on the regulations of seed.In addition, ornamental producers have To learn more about what SAA mem- reduced their sales and flow so much, bers are facing, Seed World sat down tothey have cancelled their programs, so speak with Diego Risso, executive directorDiego Risso serves as executive director ofthey will have no product by the time the of SAA, who recently conducted a surveythe Seed Association of the Americas. contingency ends, by not sowing now. among SAA members to determine whatOther than that, there have been no the biggest effects of COVID-19 were ondelays and increased cost of transporta- notices of seed shortages at this time. their industries.tion (as well as availability of transporta-tion difficulties). SW: Has there been a spike in Seed World (SW): What is thePrices are causing a bit of difficultydemand for any products?current state and challenges of thein certain areas as wellMexicos mainDR: No, but there have been some seed industry and seed movementchallenge currently are declining salesspecific cases in certain countries. For in your area?and cash flow. In the future, theyreexample, Canada and the U.S. have seen Diego Risso (DR): From what we can see,expecting to see a reduction in the pro- a huge spike in demand in the home the seed industry has been able to con- duction of several crops (in particular,garden seed sector due to an influx of tinue its operations, lab and phytosanitaryvegetables) due to this decline causedhome gardeners. Colombia notes that testing. Borders remain open to cargoby the rise of the U.S. dollar. In Colombia,theres been an increase in crops related and seed transportation is moving. however, theres been an increase in salesto food safety, including corn, rice, beans Authorities have been studying how torecently in anticipation of the increase ofand potatoes. keep borders open to the movement ofthe U.S. dollar. goods, and so far, most of the processesOther regions note that seed flow hasSW: Have there been any have been working. However, werebeen stable, but there have been somerestrictions that hinder the seeing a few unexpected delays in certainlogistical concerns between companiesproduction or movement of seeds? areas. For example, Canada is seeingand their NPPOs. However, in Argentina,DR: For the most part, seed has been seed move, but with increased difficultieswith open communication, these issuesmoving easily and freely. However, there and delays, such as regulatory servicehave been solved rather quickly.have been some delays in certain coun-32/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2020'