Seed pathology: risks and precautions

Good-quality seeds are crucial for a bountiful harvest. Therefore, every farmer aims to purchase the best-quality seeds at the most affordable price. However, while agricultural producers are searching for good deals, unscrupulous merchants take advantage of this opportunity to sell them fake seeds at a significant discount.

Experts estimate that Ukraine’s shadow market for seeds is worth 200 million dollars annually. These statistics include fake, substandard, and counterfeit seeds that are imported into Ukraine through «gray market» channels.

According to the APK-Inform information agency, the percentage of fake seeds in Ukraine ranges from 15% to 30%, sometimes even exceeding 50%. This statistic mainly pertains to products advertised by well-known brands.

You reap what you sow

In Ukraine, many farmers are interested in purchasing seeds at a low cost. According to research conducted by the APK-Inform agency, 25% of the respondents intentionally purchased counterfeit seeds because they were attracted by the low price. The same survey revealed that small farmers who own up to 5,000 hectares are most likely to end up with substandard seeds. These farmers may believe that their lack of knowledge and experience in this area led to their experience with substandard seeds.

When buying fake seeds, farmers take a calculated risk, which often results in unfavorable outcomes, such as poor germination rates or even complete crop failure. Unfortunately, it is difficult to address the issue by implementing innovative technologies and fertilizers once the seeds have already been planted.

So, not only agricultural producers themselves but also the whole agro-industry suffer from low-quality seeds. And if using counterfeit usually results in financial losses for an enterprise, at the state level, such desire to save money can lead to a loss of the gross grain harvest and a decrease in the country’s competitiveness on international markets.

The counterfeit seed market: how it works

In the pursuit of higher profits, farmers are exploring various ways to reduce expenses. Unofficial ‘distributors’ who offer seeds from ‘famous brands’ at low prices are well aware of this. Currently, there are several counterfeit production schemes in Ukraine. 

For example, fraudsters purchase genuine seeds and dye them to look like disease-treated ones. They then print a branded label and package the counterfeit product in packaging that looks identical to the original, and sell it through retail outlets and online stores. 

According to the director of the Seed Association of Ukraine, Suzana Grigorenko, the APK-Inform information agency provides information on this issue.

In all these cases, fraudsters gain super profits, and farmers suffer losses. To avoid such a situation, it is advisable to buy seeds only from trusted suppliers.

Trust, but verify!

According to statistics, around 40% of seeds in Ukraine do not meet quality standards. Unscrupulous producers may reduce the amount of active substances used during seed treatment to save money by using cheaper alternatives. In some cases, fraudsters go to extremes and sell seeds that have been dyed to appear as treated. 

The quality of seeds can be checked in quality-control laboratories, and parameters such as weight of 1,000 seeds, vigor, germinating ability, type of treatment, types of additives, and diseases and pest infestation become known as a result of laboratory testing. 

Based on the laboratory testing data, agricultural producers can assess the seed quality and, if necessary, adjust the types of selected PPPs and the cultivation technology.

Buy quality seeds at the best price

Therefore, we recommend using the Spilca platform – a modern online platform that connects seed producers, distributors, and farmers. Our service provides only the best offers from trusted and reliable suppliers. Additionally, detailed information in company profiles and honest reviews help farmers make the most profitable and transparent deals.

When planning to buy seeds on the Spilca platform, farmers can be certain of their originality. Special loyalty programs and the option for group purchases allow farmers to buy high-quality seeds at the best price.