A friend is trying to get some answers for us from Monsanto/Syngenta/Pioneer contacts. Prepared this question Bank for our use.
If you have any friends/contacts in the Maize Seed industry, request you to seek out answersfor following. Feel free to add more from your side![:))](https://forum.valuepickr.com/plugins/emoji/images/smile.png)
Basically for Understanding the Maize Industry issues.
1). Is it true that the Maize Industry size is not more than 800-1000 Cr annually? and 72,000 - 90,000 MT?
2). Is it true that Monsanto, Syngenta, Kaveri, Pioneer are the 4 biggest players? Roughly what is the kind of market share for each player. Are these all pan-India or are there regional dominance?
3). Is it true that this year Maize market in AP has done exceedingly well. 2x or 3x over FY13
4.What is the picture for rest of the country? esp in other big maize markets like Karnataka, Maharshtra.
5). Is it true that Hybrid Maize Seeds share in Total Maize seed Sales is <50%? Do penetration levers differ dramatically across regions/states? How is it in Karnataka and AP? How is it in TamilNadu?
6). What is the penetration levels in next rung of states like Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh?
7). How is inventory planning/build-up done for Hybrid Maize Seed in light of anticipated Sales for coming Year? E.g In Hybrid Cotton we have heard that seed companies prepare for a Plan+20%. So they can atleast supply 20% more if demand exceeds plan. Similarly they are okay if they do 20% less than plan on the downside?
8). Were the Seed Companies anticipating this kind of Maize demand build-up of the order of 2x-3x? Is it likely anyone would have built up double the Inventory over FY13?
9). Which company has benefited the most this year from this Maize upsurge?
10.Is it true that Maize Seed sale is highly Monsoon-dependent? If Monsoons are delayed there is an effect? There are 2 crops in Maize. Kharif (rain-fed) and Rabi (mostly seeped-in groundwater) ? What are the differences in the 2 seasons? If Monsoon is scant, there is a big effect? So if there is scant/deficient monsoon, Kharif (June-Aug sowing) is affected badly but the subsequent Rabi (Winter sowing) season is effected even more?
11). Geographically do different regions sow differently? Is the Hybrid Seed the same for both seasons, or they are totally different for different seasons? When is the Seed production completed for Kharif season and Rabi season respectively? Is there any chance of carry-over/pre-use of Seeds from Rabi to Kharif Season or vice-versa or none at all?
12). Finally, how long can Maize hybrid seeds be stored? Can it stored in the open or does it require cold-storage facilities? Do seed companies have adequate cold storage facilities? Like Cotton Seeds (do not require cold storage) which can be carried forward for 3 years, what is the longest that Maize Seeds are carried over/ What is the practice in the Industry?