https://www.futurefoodsystems.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Seeds-and-COVID-19-poster-cropped_Credit-APSA.jpg

COVID-19 adversely impacts Asia-Pacific seed-trade supply chain

The seed trade is ‘crucial for the region’s food and nutrition security and economic prosperity’, states Horti Daily in a recent article on disruptions to the Asia-Pacific seed trade under COVID-19.

‘Yet shipments are affected by lockdowns imposed by governments across the region to stem the COVID-19 pandemic. Although many governments have since recogni[s]ed seeds and other agricultural inputs as “essential items” – effectively exempting them from lockdown restrictions – seed companies have been reporting a number of supply-chain challenges.

‘To better understand these challenges, APSA’s Special Interest Group for Vegetables and Ornamentals joined with the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) to conduct a survey among seed companies operating in the Asia-Pacific region. The online survey sent to seed company managers recorded their opinions on how the crisis has affected their business and identified emerging bottlenecks in the seed supply chain.’ states Horti Daily in a recent investigation of disruptions to the Asia-Pacific seed trade under COVID-19.

The results suggest that many aspects of the seed-trade business have been adversely affected by the current cross-national constraints, notably transportation (air, sea, road and rail) and courier distribution.

Watch APSA’s recent online seminar exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on seed trade in Australia, Japan and the Philippines, below.

Sources: Asia-Pacific seed trade reeling from Covid-19 lockdown I Horti Daily; Asia-Pacific Seed Association (APSA)