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Quality Seeds to Ensure Stable Prices

Carlos Leal - Bejo Seeds Mexico
Director General

STORY INLINE POST

Jan Hogewoning By Jan Hogewoning | Journalist and Industry Analyst - Wed, 05/20/2020 - 12:06

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Q: How long has Bejo Seeds been present in Mexico?

A: Bejo Seeds has been present in Mexico for more than 25 years. It is mainly dedicated to developing and producing hybrid seeds for horticulture. Over the years, we have brought a range of varieties that produce sufficient quantity and quality of produce, allowing farmers to export products to the whole world. In Mexico, we are market leaders in carrots, radishes, celery and beets. In addition, we are growing fast in the area of jalapeño chilis and tomatoes. We have a team of eight agronomists in the country, as well as three engineers dedicated exclusively to providing technical assistance to farmers.

Q: Are Bejo Seeds’ products developed in Mexico?

A: The genetics are from the Netherlands. However, Bejo Seeds has production fields around the world. In Mexico we have a few. For example, we have fields producing fennel in Baja California. In Queretaro, we are working on a hybrid seed for onion. The most important properties we look for in seeds is that they are export quality and resistant to disease. The seeds have a germination rate of 90-95 percent, which is the market standard. We use almost no agrochemicals in our fields. Their use is necessary in open fields that are exposed to the elements but we keep their application to an absolute minimum.  

Q: Who are your primary clients?

A: We work with farmers of all sizes. The primary segment are producers for export who often manage dozens of hectares. However, we also offer varieties for farmers who sow small surfaces but look for high-quality vegetables. Because the second generation of hybrid plants do not produce fruit with the same characteristics as the first generation, it is necessary to sow new seeds every year. 

Q: Who is your primary competition?

A: We are in a segment competing with companies like Syngenta and Seminis. However, one of the characteristics of our seeds is that we are not using genetic modification through laboratory mixing. Instead, we obtain our hybrids through genetic selection in the field. Our research employs the latest technology, such as molecular tracing. The current administration has been helpful in promoting and supporting the use of non-GMO and non-transgenic hybrids and genetics. This helps companies like ours and farmers who seek our seeds.

Q: How do non-GMO seeds compare to GMO seeds in terms of price?

A: While you might not expect it, GMO seeds are far more expensive. They may have specific properties that farmers are looking for, and companies promote them as unique products with special characteristics. Our techniques increase the time for seeds to be ready but they do not increase the price.

Q: What specific seed characteristics do Mexican farmers seek?

A: Especially in tropical climates, tomatoes and chili plants need extra resistance to viruses, bacteria and fungus. This adds an extra challenge to finding the right hybrid seed. With produce for export, certain markets require a particular color, size and flavor. Carrots need to be one color. Yellow onion needs to be sweet. White onion needs to be a particular size. Our geneticists work to get these hybrids and assure these characteristics in the final product. This is very important for farmers because they need to have certainty regarding the price at which they can sell their produce. Price unpredictability is a real issue for farmers in Mexico. While there are guaranteed price schemes for certain basic crops, in horticulture the market reigns. In addition to quality and price assurance, many farmers in Mexico would benefit from having access to land to cultivate other types of crops.

Q: With whom do you have alliances?

A: We have various relationships with both governmental bodies and packaging companies to promote and provide our seeds and facilitate all kinds of procedures necessary for importing and exporting. We work with very few agrochemical companies but some offer special technical packages that help our hybrids.

Q: What benefits do agroparks provide?

A: They are a magnificent development, efficiently providing services such as water, earth, lighting and vigilance. They have also facilitated the conglomeration of different types of companies that can support each other. State governments have been essential in providing services such as water, electricity and communication infrastructure at an accessible prize. Bejo Seeds is not located at agroparks, however, because we need open fields to cultivate our seeds. 

Q: What are your main priorities for 2020?

A: We need to conserve the quality of our hybrids and ensure the right storage for our seeds. Quality assurance allows farmers to meet the requirements of their export contracts. Our obligation is to provide seeds at the right time and in the right quantity. Most of our contracts are long term. International transport has been slightly complicated by COVID-19. To mitigate the impact, we have forwarded certain deliveries so that farmers receive them on time.

In terms of produce, we see new opportunities for growth in jalapeños, tomatoes and cucumbers. We are in that market but want to strengthen our position further. There is also a different product to seeds, called sets, which also offers an opportunity. These are dried bulbs that can be grown again. We are looking at potentially bringing a micro bulb product for onions and specifically shallots to Mexico.

 

 

Bejo Seeds is a global seeds company with headquarters in the Netherlands. It develops seed hybrids for a range of vegetables through genetic selection

Photo by:   Bejo Seeds Mexico

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