Declining certified seed use is putting pressure on local production, but Maritime growers still see an opportunity to rebuild awareness of its value.

Eric Theriault has watched certified seed sales decline across the Maritimes for roughly a decade. He worries the region may be approaching a point from which it will be difficult to recover — but he also believes greater awareness could begin reversing the trend.

“My own perspective is that the seed is fading away,” says Theriault, New Brunswick director for the Maritime seed growers branch of the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA).

Theriault owns Eastern Grains Inc. in Grand Falls, N.B., which markets grains and oilseeds and operates a large farm.

The Maritimes branch represents pedigreed seed growers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. In 2025, CSGA recorded 19 members and approximately 3,660 inspected acres across New Brunswick and P.E.I.

For Theriault, those numbers point to a difficult cycle. As more farmers rely on farm-saved seed, sales decline. Theriault currently works with more than 15 varieties but expects to reduce that to four or five, yet he has not given up on certified seed.

“If producers were more aware of that part, it would make a huge difference in the broader picture. We need strong seed sales in order to attract research and variety development in the Maritimes,” he says.

“With no new good varieties coming, the whole cereals industry is at risk.”