ASTA received Agricuture Trade Promotion grant funding (ATP) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2019 in order to improve opportunities for ASTA member companies to produce vegetable and flower seed in alternative locations to China. Vegetable and flower seed imports from China currently face 25% tariffs.

ASTA members provided input to identify three alternative countries/regions. In 2019, assessments were conducted in each to identify the current seed laws, production environment, and import/export policies in place. The assessments recommend actions designed to change current policies or provide education to improve the environment to conduct business. In 2020, work will be done to address some of these current challenges.

To get involved, email astruxness@betterseed.org.

Kenya

An Assessment of the Seed Production and Regulatory Environment

Annexure A

Annexure B

Annexure C

Annexure D

Next Steps: Assessment of seed laws in other countries of the region, potential seed production training in Kenya.

Africa

Assessment of Southern and Eastern African countries for vegetable and flower seed production by U.S. companies

Peru

Peru Project Phase 1 Executive Summary

Peru Mission Report

Peru Seed Development Overview

Peru Trade Data

Next Steps: Survey on weed seeds, workshops and dialogues with SENASA and other government officials on critical topics, U.S. company visit to Peru.

Southeast Asia

ASTA is participating in the “Lower Mekong Delta Initiative for Seeds” in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, USDA, and Asia Pacific Seed Association.

USDA LMI Seed Assessment

Country Status Reports – Presented by governments at Lower Mekong Initiative Workshop (Nov. 2019)

Cambodia Seed Industry Status

Cambodia Seed Use and Trade

Lao Seed Development Overview

Myanmar Seed Sector Development

Thailand Country Report

Vietnam LMI Assessment on PVP