world's top ten seed companies = 55% of global market

[Hannah Bell]

http://www.etcgroup.org/en/materials/publications.html?pub_id=615

Company 2006 seed sales US $ millions

1. Monsanto (US) $4,028
2. Dupont (US) $2,781
3. Syngenta (Switzerland) $1,743
4. Groupe Limagrain (France) $1,035
5. Land O' Lakes (US) $756
6. KWS AG (Germany) $615
7. Bayer Crop Science (Germany) $430
8. Delta & Pine Land (US) (acquisition by Monsanto pending) $418
9. Sakata (Japan) $401
10. DLF-Trifolium (Denmark) $352

Based on 2006 revenues, the top 10 seed corporations account for 55% of the commercial seed market worldwide.

Concentration Trend Continues: According to estimates provided by industry analysts, Context Network, the value of the overall commercial seed market was $22,900 million in 2006 (includes seeds purchased from public breeding programs).1 By contrast, just two years ago, ETC Group reported that the top 10 accounted for 49% of the worldwide market. In 1996 - one decade ago - the top 10 seed companies accounted for 37% of the worldwide market - and Monsanto did not even appear on the list.

The market share of the top 10 seed companies is even greater when looking at the proprietary (patented?) seed market. According to Context Network, the global proprietary seed market was worth $19,600 million in 2006.

In 2006, the top 10 companies account for $12,559 million - or 64% of the total proprietary seed market.

Monsanto - the world's largest seed company - accounts for more than one-fifth of the global proprietary seed market.

The top 3 companies - Monsanto, Dupont and Syngenta - account for $8,552 million - or 44% of the total proprietary seed market.

The top 4 companies account for $9,587 million - or almost half (49%) - of the total proprietary seed market.

[bertman]

1. An earth-altering trend that is not for the best. This disease must be stopped.

Unfortunately, these folks are HEAVY contributors to our elected officials and have WAAY too much clout.

A great read that tells how to fight them on a personal level: "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver.

Thanks for posting this, Hannah Bell.

Recommend.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Oh no, that's terrible.

For some unexplainable reason.

[abumbyanyothername]

3. Suppose Monsanto succeeds in its efforts to control all the worlds seeds

then suppose someone there does something stupid to destroy their stock. (that would never happen, right?)

The rest of us . . . starve?

Centralized processes always collapse.

Monsanto has a demonstrated track record, DDT, Agent Orange, Litigation Nuclear Winter for its Enemies . . . .

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Suppose Anheuser Busch succeeds in their plan to control the world's beer market.

One single company already controls 50% of the country's beer.

What if they get all the beer?

What are we supposed to drink then? Rob Roys?

[abumbyanyothername]

6. But you see . . . beer is optional. nt (almost)

plus, I haven't had a beer in almost 10,000 days now.

And I do my best not to use "products" at all, especially in stuff I put in my body.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

7. So are Monsanto seeds.

Don't like 'em? You don't have to buy them.

[abumbyanyothername]

8. Unless Monsanto owns all the seeds.

You do know, don't you, that Monsanto will sue any farmer that doesn't use their seeds into non-existence?

And they will sue legitimate businesses, like seed cleaning companies, into non-existance -- death by litigation and discovery -- costs too much to defend so just agree to Monsanto demands.

Also, Monsanto is quite pleased, if not actively promoting, the general pollution of rural america with their product Round-up. Not so much for the sales of Roundup, but for the sales of the genetically modified roundup resistant seeds they sell.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. I've never used Monsanto seeds, and they haven't sued me. You? Anybody you know?

"You do know, don't you, that Monsanto will sue any farmer that doesn't use their seeds into non-existence?"

Maybe in la la land. In the real world they only sue people who buy Monsanto seeds, and then violated the terms of the purchase agreement.

"Also, Monsanto is quite pleased, if not actively promoting, the general pollution of rural america with their product Round-up. Not so much for the sales of Roundup, but for the sales of the genetically modified roundup resistant seeds they sell.

Despite all the complaints of various scientifically illiterate kooks, of the fluoride in my drinking water variety, glyphosate is a perfectly safe herbicide. Part of the reason Monsanto's so successful, they've got a damn fine product in Roundup.

Now, despite all the complaints, I can't quite figure out what the problem is with Monsanto selling Roundup, or Round-up ready crops.

Do you have a good reason? Or is it only a reason if you don't think too hard about it?

[abumbyanyothername]

10. Do you drink glyphosate? Would you rub it on your grandchild?

As to Monsanto's litigation strategy it is not limited to just people who buy the seeds and violate the license:

AB 541 enacts protections against lawsuits brought against California farmers who have not been able to prevent the inevitable - the drift of GE pollen or seed onto their land and the subsequent contamination of their non-GE crops. Currently, farmers with crops that become contaminated by patented seeds or pollen have been the target of harassing lawsuits brought by biotech patent holders, particularly Monsanto. The bill also establishes a mandatory crop sampling protocol to prevent biotech companies that are investigating alleged violations from sampling crops without the explicit permission of farmers.

http://current.com/items/89264825_california-legislature-passes-bill-protecting-farmers-against-monsanto-lawsuits.htm

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. I wouldn't drink a glass of salt water, that doesn't mean it's gonna kill us all.

"Currently, farmers with crops that become contaminated by patented seeds or pollen have been the target of harassing lawsuits brought by biotech patent holders, particularly Monsanto."

Actually, no, Monsanto sues farmers who intentionally plant their seeds without buying them, then lie and claiming it was crop drift.

Monsanto has always agreed that farmers shouldn't have to pay for crop drift. So have the courts, where Monsanto was able to prove that said farmers were lying about crop drift.

[abumbyanyothername]

12. Monsanto has always agreed . . .

link?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

13. Do you understand how liability law works?

About being made whole?

[abumbyanyothername]

14. Not sure I understand your question

But I am trained as a lawyer, so if you could re-phrase so it could be comprehended?

As a matter of policy, I disagree that seed genetics should be patentable. I understand that the current state of the law is different than my policy preferences. I understand that compensation is payable in the case of appropriation of intellectual property.

I also understand, from front line experience, that large corporations use the tactic of death by intimidating litigation.

But again, I am not sure what you are asking about.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

15. Ah, another online lawyer.

Let's say Monsanto seeds contaminated a crop of a farmer who didn't buy Monsanto seeds, didn't sign a contract with Monsanto, and has to spend money to remove the contaminating seeds from his field.

How would the farmer be liable?

[abumbyanyothername]

17. The farmer would have to hire attorneys

to answer the complaint, or be found in default, judgment for Monsanto.

to respond to discovery requests for documents, or be subject to sanctions, judgment for Monsanto.

to present his facts to a jury, or be vulnerable to misrepresentations by Monsanto being accepted by the jury, judgment for Monsanto.

Since it typically costs easily into the mid-6 figures to take a case like this to trial, farmers settle. Monsanto knows this. They use litigation to intimidate and force feed their product on farmers, under threat of litigation.

Hence the CA legislature takes action to prevent harassing lawsuits.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. How interesting.

You're claiming there's a shortage of lawyers who'd be willing to take on the richest agricultural corporation in the country in a completely open and shut case.

Huh.

[abumbyanyothername]

19. ????

I am talking about Monsanto's tactic of suing people indiscriminately forcing them to defend themselves, or preferably, settle. The key element of the settlement agreement to Monsanto is not the money, it is the "shut up agreement" together with the cease and desist agreement.

As to proving some kind of tort like abuse of process (the civil common law name for what Monsanto appears to be doing by filing harassing litigation), because we want people to have access to the courts in cases of actual injury, the standards for an abuse of process case are hard to meet. And again, Monsanto as a defendant in this case will launch the death by discovery strategy.

So yes, there would be a shortage of attorneys willing to take on that case.

[abumbyanyothername]

20. And

goodnight for now.

[druidity33]

22. you need to do some research

check out Percy Schmeiser's case...

http://www.percyschmeiser.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Schmeiser


He just happens to have put his life on hold for the past ten or so years to fight Monsanto. He "won" only because his case was publicized internationally, and even then he had to take it all the way to the Canadian Supreme Court. I personally know 1 farmer who had to settle. No, he didn't "steal" seeds... his crop was contaminated by a "trial" crop nearby and the wind pollinated his crop. A trial crop btw no one was informed of. Settling kept him from going bankrupt. He should not be blamed for his crop being contaminated with GM seeds.

Please, talk to some farmers before you spout uninformed nonsense on this issue. At least try and educate yourself. This isn't just about Roundup or RR crops...

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

28. So do you.

Percy Schmeisser's a perfect example of the sort of nut I'm talking about.

He did steal Monsanto seeds. Monsanto proved he stole Monsanto seeed.

I mean, the guy's sued Monsanto for "violating his right to free speech."

Why? Because of a gag order.

[druidity33]

36. i suspect your motives

I don't believe a reasonable person can pursue the argument you are making. Are you aware there are thousands of farmers who have faced the exact same predicament as Percy and my neighbor farmer? They all stole seeds from Monsanto? Even when they don't use Roundup? Exactly how did Monsanto "prove" Percy stole their seed?

:eyes:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

37. I suspect your woo.

"Are you aware there are thousands of farmers who have faced the exact same predicament as Percy and my neighbor farmer?"

Out of the tens of thousands of professional farmers who buy Monsanto seeds, Monsanto's taken 9 of them to court, and proven all nine stole the seeds.

Including Schmeiser.

"Exactly how did Monsanto "prove" Percy stole their seed?"

By showing the amount and density of seeds in his field would be impossible to account for by drift alone.

[Hannah Bell]

25. It's likely you have, They're not sold as "Monsanto seeds".

http://www.seedalliance.org/index.php?page=SeminisMonsanto

In large part, these numbers reflect usage of Seminis varieties within large industrial production geared towards supermarkets, but Seminis seeds are also widely used by regional conventional and organic farmers as well as market and home gardeners. Johnny’s, Territorial, Fedco, Nichol’s, Rupp, Osborne, Snow, and Stokes are among the dozens of commercial and garden seed catalogs that carry the more than 3,500 varieties that comprise Seminis’ offerings. This includes dozens of All-American Selections and an increasing number of varieties licensed to third parties for certified organic seed production.

The brand-name companies under Seminis (such as Petoseed) have developed, released, produced and distributed varieties common to the market farmer and even home gardener. These include Big Beef, Sweet Baby Girl and Early Girl Tomatoes; Simpsons Elite and Red Sails Lettuces; Red Knight and King Arthur Peppers; Gold Rush and Blackjack Zucchinis; Stars & Stripes Melon; and Bush Delicata and Early Butternut squashes (see sidebar for other popular varieties).

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

30. And those would be hybrid seeds, not GE seeds.

[Hannah Bell]

33. we're talking about seeds which monsanto owns. which it's likely you've used.

not just GE seeds monsanto owns.

[ControlledDemolition]

39. Monsanto wants every seed sold to be a suicide seed! n/t

[BlooInBloo]

5. Curious: Is there any major commodity where the top 10 suppliers make up LESS than half the total?

[ControlledDemolition]

40. I agree with your call for stronger competition laws! n/t

[Maru Kitteh]

16. Try to find a photgraph of the exterior of the Kearney, NE plant - or info about it's operations.

For shits and giggles, include "Dekalb" - because they are now one and the same.

[earth mom]

21. Here's a way to fight these evil bastards:

Organic seeds, Heirloom seed, un-treated seed, seed saving, seed suppliers:

http://www.greenpeople.org/seeds.htm

[Hannah Bell]

26. Think again. It's not just GMO they own. Save your seeds.

http://www.seedalliance.org/index.php?page=SeminisMonsanto

In large part, these numbers reflect usage of Seminis varieties within large industrial production geared towards supermarkets, but Seminis seeds are also widely used by regional conventional and organic farmers as well as market and home gardeners. Johnny’s, Territorial, Fedco, Nichol’s, Rupp, Osborne, Snow, and Stokes are among the dozens of commercial and garden seed catalogs that carry the more than 3,500 varieties that comprise Seminis’ offerings. This includes dozens of All-American Selections and an increasing number of varieties licensed to third parties for certified organic seed production.

The brand-name companies under Seminis (such as Petoseed) have developed, released, produced and distributed varieties common to the market farmer and even home gardener. These include Big Beef, Sweet Baby Girl and Early Girl Tomatoes; Simpsons Elite and Red Sails Lettuces; Red Knight and King Arthur Peppers; Gold Rush and Blackjack Zucchinis; Stars & Stripes Melon; and Bush Delicata and Early Butternut squashes (see sidebar for other popular varieties).

[ThomWV]

23. I'm afraid I don't understand the problem

So what? What is bad about this?

[cali]

24. here:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_16844.cfm

[ThomWV]

27. Thank you

Interesting that the numbers in the OP and the one's in your article don't agree. Also, and I have to tell you that my first degree was in Agricultural Economics (but it was many decades ago) and so I have been sort of brainwashed to accept agribiz, but still, I don't see any alarming numbers in either article and in fact considering the efficiencies available to larger companies it looks to me like the mix is about right at this time. After all, a significant portion of the seed market is not in the hands of the largest companies; that there seem to be enough large players to keep competition active (very good for continued research); and that its also clear that by using the seed-sales figures as the method of measurement that the vast majority of subsistence farming where seed is kept is not included and in fact if the major producers are coming up with proprietary seeds its from hybridization which is appropriately patented and controlled. In short, I still don't see any real problem. In fact considering the ability of large producers to quickly (very important in agriculture) meets grower's seed needs I see the fact that there are nearly a dozen very large companies spread around the world a good thing.

[Hannah Bell]

35. "interesting the numbers don't agree" - not interesting, 1st article = 2006 (monsanto bought one of

the companies in the top 10 later that year), 2nd article = 2009.

[scheming daemons]

29. 10 different companies add up to 55%? That's pretty diversified, if you ask me

more so than just about any other commodity you can name.

[OllieLotte]

31. Yep. Pretty amazing if you ask me. n/t

[Hannah Bell]

34. that was 2006. in 1996, it was 37%. in 2006, monsanto bought #8 on that list, so

it's now something closer to 60-70%.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/16/business/16seed.html

you guys = laff riot.

[wiggs]

32. There are 1000 local varieties of corn in central and south America. These

are heritage plants well suited to local climates and soils. Farmers save a portion of their own seeds for the following year, trade some, eat or sell the rest. Due to drifting pollen from GMO corn, every one of these 1000 varieties has been polluted by patented genes. I attended a talk given by a knowledgable food industry expert...he said that one of the top GMO seed producers is actively working to keep these farmers from then SAVING AND TRADING THEIR OWN SEEDS as they have done for hundreds of years, because these seeds contain patented DNA. Instead, farmers are forced to PURCHASE hybrid seeds from corporate seed producers. Often, hybrid seeds do not produce their own seeds that true to the parent plants...saved hybrid seeds can be worthless so the farmer has stepped off a track of independence, self-sufficiency, and freedom and has become enslaved.

Everyone but the company loses in this system. We lose small farmers, genetic diversity, locally adapted varieties, a way of life, a food system developed over centuries, produce grown for nutrition and taste rather than transportation durability, and fairness. It is a HUGE problem.

[lovuian]

38. Who owns the food supply

these are dark dark times

[ControlledDemolition]

41. No-one should own the food supply. We're headed for 'soylent greensville'! n/t