Promotion of maize and sorghum seeds on the EU internal market

Maize and sorghum seeds produced in the EU grow into crops with superior environmental and economic value, in turn offering many opportunities. The EU’s promotional programme has the ability to trigger significant developments within a limited budget. Maize and sorghum are complementary crops, offer solutions for diversification and sustainability for farmers, breeders and other manufacturers (feed, biogas). Maize is the most cultivated cereal globally, with many uses, especially in animal feed (pigs, poultry, dairy cows) and industrial processing. Sorghum also offers many outlets in feed (grain and silage), biogas and food.

The FNPSMS and the PZPK intend to organize this programme together. With their technical expertise, promotion activity and well-established communications network, FNPSMS and PZPK are experienced organisations, optimally placed to carry out this programme successfully. The targeted countries were selected for their climate, consumption trains, potential gains in acreage and production potential. The EU’s seed selection is indeed particularly adapted to the climate of these countries and the specific uses of maize and sorghum in these markets as grain and silage (animal feed for dairy cattle, biogas …). The aim of this campaign is to improve farmers’ and other agricultural professionals’ knowledge about EU maize and sorghum seeds, increase acreage and reduce the EU's trade balance deficit in maize. The programme promotes the quality of European maize and sorghum seeds as well as the numerous uses for the grain or as silage in Europe. The proposed catalogue of actions affects all specialised stakeholders, through both broad channels and targeted means.