The Mexican Association of Seedbeds, A.C. (AMSAC) has launched a campaign to combat seed piracy — an issue that threatens productivity in Mexico’s agricultural sector by reducing producers’ yields.
Under the slogan “No Harvest Surprises,” the initiative aims to inform and warn farmers about the risks of purchasing pirated seed sold nationwide through unauthorized vendors and e-commerce platforms.
Pirated seeds fail to meet the genetic, physical, physiological, and phytosanitary quality standards required for optimal germination and crop development. This illicit trade takes multiple forms, including selling dyed grain to mimic treated seed, refilling original packaging with low-quality seed, illegally using trademarks, and counterfeiting bags, labels, and other packaging, according to a press release.
In contrast, certified quality seed supports reliable germination and strong crop establishment, while pirated seed can lead to partial or total crop losses. AMSAC notes that small and medium-sized producers are most affected: using pirated materials can result in lower yields, poorer crop quality, greater vulnerability to pests and diseases, and significant financial losses.
Pirated seed can also serve as a pathway for pests that directly impact production. In potatoes, for example, the golden nematode can reduce yields by up to 75%. In wheat, partial bunt disease causes annual economic losses estimated at $7.02 million in northwestern Mexico, according to figures from SADER.
Because pirated seed lacks the necessary genetic quality, plants that emerge from it are also less able to withstand the effects of climate change—further reducing farm income. Finally, the sale of pirated seed creates unfair competition and discourages investment in the development of new, high-quality varieties.
