The Ministry of Agriculture announced that there is no risk of a shortage of seeds in the Russian market

There is no risk of a shortage of seeds on the Russian market, several foreign producers have already announced their readiness to work under the new rules for the localization of seed production, which will come into force in the country from September 1. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture, transmits TASS.

“A number of large foreign companies have already expressed their readiness to work under the new rules,” the report says.

The ministry called the transformation and accelerated development of Russian breeding and seed production a priority task at the present time. They added that, according to the threshold value of the Food Security Doctrine, it is necessary to increase self-sufficiency in seeds to 75%. Then this level is planned to be raised to 90%.

At the same time, it remains important for Russia to form a transparent operating procedure for foreign companies in the domestic market, taking into account the interests of the country. In particular, it is planned to stimulate them to transfer their production and scientific activities to the territory of the Russian Federation.

Earlier today Kommersant informed on the letter of the European seed market association Euroseeds (includes BayerBASF, Corteva, etc.), sent to the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin, in which the association warns of the risks for the further work of member companies in the Russian Federation due to new rules for the localization of production.

A source in the market, in a conversation with the publication, noted that a possible reduction in foreign seed suppliers will free up space on the market for local breeders. However, such a scenario threatens to reduce yields, he added.

In May the government approved rules for localization of seed production in Russia. The Ministry of Agriculture noted that the new rules will make it possible to overcome the dependence of domestic seed production on imports. The regulation will come into force on September 1, 2023.