Uzbekistan Vegetable Seed Market – Dominance of Imported Varieties

The vegetable seeds market in Uzbekistan has seen a dramatic surge in the demand for imported hybrids over the last eight years and is likely to continue to increase. Since 2011, the volume of imported vegetable seeds has increased from approximately 25 metric tonnes to just under 55 metric tonnes in 2017 . This has been a result of a number of factors including the gradual relaxation of restrictions to accessing imported goods (not just seed but agriculture items including irrigation equipment, fruit rootstocks etc; note: may not include fertiliser on which there is a ban of sorts), the move away from a cotton based agriculture system, opening of export markets particularly to Russia, changes at the local government level on options for farmers (choices) on what crops they are allowed to cultivate, and the move to greenhouse cultivation. The latter is evident with the increasing prevalence of greenhouses throughout the country and by the fact that, officially, the area of land under cultivation has not increased over the last 10 years . 2018 also saw the removal of import duties on imported seed (40% to 60%), replaced by a general sales tax (20%), although the impact (benefits) of this are not likely to be seen in official figures for a year or more. Of these, perhaps the combination of farmers access to export markets (mainly Russia), or ability to do so, has driven farmers to grow vegetable varieties acceptable to the export markets, of which little or no locally available varieties are, and the need for higher quality fruit, again to fulfil the export markets, which has driven the push to greenhouses and imported hybrids which enable to farmer to consistently produce good yields of high quality fruit. But again, there are other factors which contribute to the dominance of imported vegetable seeds.

Imported seeds are sold in pouches or cans are hybrids but are also coated (primed) and in most cases with fungicides and growth enhances. The seed coating, and that they are hybrids, are seen by farmers as signifying superior quality. While this is generally true with higher germination rates than local seed and reduced loses at the seedling stage, this is somewhat of a marketing advantage (ploy). Local seed produces are also now selling open pollinated (OP) seed but coated (by hand) and packaged in pouches and labelled as hybrids, even though they are not. In many cases these are the same seed sold by other produces as OP varieties in open bags and uncoated, but at premiums of between 100% and 300% (generally OP varieties are sold at three som per seed but the same seed coated and packaged as hybrids are being sold for up to 10 som per seed). Consumer protection hasn’t reached the farmer level as yet and while Uzbekistan is a member of UPOV (since November, 2004), there appears little action at the government level to encourage PVP.
Locally derived varieties, being OP, are generally lower yielding producing lower quality fruit types than imported varieties, but also are not adapted to greenhouse cultivation. This is evident with the semi-determinate and determinate tomato varieties, versus the indeterminate imported varieties, in addition to the poor trellising ability of many of the cucurbits.
Disease resistances in locally derived varieties are generally unknown and, due to their OP status, segregate. But in saying that, many imported varieties also do not have resistances to common virus diseases such as TYLCV and soil borne pathogens such as nematodes. Where imported varieties are bred for truly greenhouse, closed environments, the majority of greenhouses in Uzbekistan are not closed and crops are sown directly in the soil with little or no crop rotation. Even some large-scale greenhouses operations over 10 or more hectares, costing $250,000 per hectare have been farms for TYLCV transmitting whiteflies.
As the main (perhaps hoped for) market is export, fruit quality is paramount. The main criteria is shelf-life and transportability. To this end, firm fruit types dominate as too consistency in fruit type (size, colour, weight).

But there are other factors to consider. In general, for cucumber crops, open field farmers can have two crops starting in May and finishing in October. Under greenhouse conditions this can extend to three utilising the warmer greenhouse conditions in early spring and late autumn. Under these conditions the farmer sows the first crop in March with heating in a somewhat complicated manner. For cucurbits this is less of an issue as the sowing period is generally between 5 and 10 days, but for solanaceous crops the period is longer, over 30 days and generally closer to 40 provided they are cultivated at temperatures above 20 degrees. For these reasons, many farmers have turned to a fast-growing seedling raising sector where farmers, on small backyard plots of ¼ to ½ hectares (generally Dehkan farms) sow seeds in beds above mulching from cotton or in large racks of beds all of which are covered with plastic for insulation. The decomposing cotton mulch generates sufficient heat to maintain the seedlings between 15C and 25C while outside temperatures seldom approach 10C. After about 20 days, approximately two-leaf stage, the seedlings are transferred to 5 cm diameter plastic bags with media (generally soil with burnt and unburnt rice husks 60:10:30). The seedlings are then transferred to plastic greenhouses and grown on the ground. A farmer with about a quarter of a hectare of greenhouse can generally grow about 100,000 seedlings per season. Cucurbit seeds are sown directly into the plastic bags. Seedling raisers point out that they get their soil from fields which haven’t grown tomato, so they have an understanding of nematodes and bacterial wilt and general issues with soil borne diseases and pests. The driver for sowing solanaceous seeds in heated beds and then transferring them to plastic bags is lack of access to gas for heating. Access to gas is controlled by the local governments which generally don’t allow it to be bought by farmers. This is also a determining factor in the cultivation of crops in greenhouses during the winter period of November to February when temperatures, depending on the location, are generally below -5C at night and rarely get above 5C during the day (this excludes the southern regions of Denau to Termez where generally temperatures range from night-time of 4C to highs of 15C to 20C). Farmers with access to gas, wood or coal fired heaters can grow vegetable crops during the period and are able to sell their produce for export at prices four or five times that during the following spring period. Again, the prized market is Russia but supplying the local market is also a profitable option for the lower quality produce.

Seed
Based on local data from seed distributors, the largest greenhouse market is tomato followed by cucumber and other crops, 60%, 30% and 10%, respectively. While most imported solanaceous and cucurbit varieties are designed for the greenhouse, much of the seed is also sown in the open field with varieties like NongWoo Bio’s Fontina being popular, but also half to one-third the price (300 som per seed) of one of the market leading varieties such as Zena from Sakata and Orzu from Nunhems (Bayer) (500 – 600 som per seed). While the Fontina fruit type doesn’t quite match that of Orzu and Zena (10 cm, shoulder and 3 – 4 cm diameter, medium green versus dark green of Zena), it makes up for in yield and adaptation in the field where it is grown on the ground.

Seed shops in Uzbekistan are commonly located in fresh-markets both in town centres and major growing areas. They tend to be “one-stop shops” for farmers not just for supplies, seed, fertilizer, chemicals, equipment etc, but also for advice on cultivation, diseases, and, life in general (some seed shops are centres for generally men to meet and talk, often over tea). Some shops also sell veterinary medicines as well. In general, seed is sold in the opened containers or seed pouches they were imported in as the cost of a single pouch, let alone a can, would often exceed the needs of the farmer both in terms of seed number but, importantly, finances. While the alarm bells would ring in some over maintaining the relative humidity of the seed, considering the dry climate and the average 20% humidity through most of the year, this doesn’t appear to be a major issue. Also, the turn-over in seed often means that the shop is often selling the most popular varieties within a few days. However, temperature is an issue, particularly the variations from below zero in winter (this would normally be at night as during the day the shops tend to be heated) to mid to high 40’s in summer. Seed substitution could also be an issue as often the cheaper coated local OP varieties are indistinguishable from imported ones, and there are no colourimeters to identify trademarked seed coating colours!!

But as in other markets, copying the packing colours and labelling is rife. This is seen not with seed packaging but with many products on the market from vodka and wine to seed and food.

Vegetable Market
The vegetable market is similar to that in other countries and include potato (most seed potatoes are imported from Germany and France), carrots (mostly OP), turnips (mostly OP), onions (OP), shallots (OP), parsley (OP), basil (OP), cabbages (mostly OP), cauliflower (mostly OP), broccoli (mostly OP), eggplant (mostly OP but more F1 for greenhouses), pepper (hot and sweet) (mostly OP but for greenhouses moving to F1), tomato (mostly F1), and cucumber (mostly F1).

Cucumber
Based on observations there are two main cucumber segments that sell into the market that are differentiated on size and market: beit-alpha type (three sub-segments), Orzu type (two sub-segments). The sub-segments are differentiated based on market and season. More details can be seen in table 1. Cucumber (and tomato) are the drivers for greenhouse development based on their export and local markets. They are the main constituents in local salads. With perhaps the exception of two local distributors, there doesn’t appear to be any apparent drive to produce locally adapted varieties, however, with the rider that these local distributors are only undertaking local selections and there are no active local breeding programs. There are significant diseases including PRSV, Begomoviruses, angular leafspot (Pseudomonas Syringae) and downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis), and nematodes, however none of the major varieties appear to be resistant. Whiteflies are a major issue both in the field and greenhouses.

Tomato
There are two broad tomato segments, open field and greenhouse. The open field are determinate or semi-determinate while the greenhouse types are all indeterminate. The greenhouse segment is subdivided into three sub-segments based on fruit colour, size and market. The open field segment are solely for local consumption and are based on fruit type. More details can be seen in table 2. As with cucumber, there are significant diseases in tomato with the major one (based on symptoms) being TYLCV. Despite the claims of many of the seed companies, no varieties were TYLCV resistant, however, there were apparent variations in susceptibility which, based on observations, were mute considering the severity of the disease with no saleable fruit for export, only local consumption (and in some cases no fruit) produced. There was also evidence of other diseases based on symptoms including tomato spotted wilt and nematodes. As many of the greenhouse farmers sow in the soil and do so continuously with no soil treatment nor rotation, this is a major issue for the future.

Pepper
Bell peppers dominate the market and are popular in greenhouses. Long hot peppers (15 – 20 cm) are also popular. Imported seed dominate.

Okra
Okra is not a popular crop and I’ve only included it here as it was in the field and infected with symptoms of Begomovirus infection (leaf yellowing, stunting) identical to that seen in Asia and SE Asia (Pakistan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines).

Eggplant
The types seen in the market are very limited being long purple types (20 to 30 cm). The typical “tear drop” aubergine type is also found cultivate under greenhouse conditions. The majority of the crop is open field, but more and more are greenhouse cultivated using imported varieties. As would be expected the eggplants are susceptible to severe whitefly infestation. In the field and greenhouses observed, no symptoms of Begomoviruses were evident, which was surprising considering the presence of other whitefly transmitted Begomoviruses in the area. This suggests that the eggplant-infecting version of the Begomovirus is not currently found in the regions I visited.

Watermelon
Watermelon is popular and cheap and is commonly found in the markets from April to December. There are numerous types from sugar baby (oblong and round), very dark green, jubilee, all sweet to crimson sweet (round and some oblong) which appears to be growing more and more dominant in market. All vary in size, however, the 5 to 10 kg sizes in all types dominate. The market is divided between hybrids (all imported seed) and OP, the later which is the most common type found in the market. All are red fleshed with the occasional exception of yellow. All are seeded with the OP types generally being very large seeds while the imported types are generally smaller seeded. Rind thickness tend to vary amongst the local varieties with the median being 1 cm. The dry climate of Uzbekistan suits the cultivation of watermelon, all of which are grown on the ground.

Melon
While the greenhouses cultivate imported seed of mainly European types (1 kg fruit) which are largely exported, the most popular melons are open pollinated open field, 5 – 10 kg types. These are separated into two fruit types, yellow and light green, both of which are very sweet (estimate only but approximately 15 brix) and juicy with soft to medium textured fruit. The melons are popular from April through to December and are supplied to local markets as well as exported to neighbouring countries as well as Russia. Under cool conditions they have a shelf-life of upwards of one month. The rind thickness is approximately 1 cm, but as the fruit texture is medium to soft and very juicy, shipping even in the local markets can be problematic. This type of melon has been popular for many years and was part of a local selection/breeding program during the 50’s and 60’s. It grows well in the very dry climate. It has huge potential and should be a prime candidate for a local breeding program. Based on observations under various conditions it has no resistances to most common melon diseases (Potyviruses, based on symptoms) and is very susceptible to gummy stem blight, downy mildew and other leaf diseases. While in the field it is cultivated on the ground, many of the leaf disease issues could in part be overcome by growing them on trellising provided the heavy, oversized fruit can be well secured.

Table 1. Descriptors of major cucumber segments in Uzbekistan, segments 1 and 2.

Market value estimate from RIVMCP staff and seed sellers. Export value 50% plus higher than local market. Exports mainly to Russia.
Lower export opportunity as Russia market produce locally.
TBC – to be confirmed
Early requires greenhouse heating. Single season for tomato, two for cucumber.
Disease/insect resistance/tolerance based on observation reports of symptoms.
Seedlings sown late January (1), June (2), August (3)
Two seasons possible for cucumber.

Main seed stakeholders: Rijk Zwaan, Nunhems, Enza Zaden, Clause, Sakata, NongWoo Bio

Market value estimate from RIVMCP staff and seed sellers. Export value 50% plus higher than local market. Exports mainly to Russia.
Lower export opportunity as Russia market produce locally.
TBC – to be confirmed
Early requires greenhouse heating. Single season for tomato, two for cucumber.
Disease/insect resistance/tolerance based on observation reports of symptoms.
Seedlings sown late February (1), May – June (2)
Two seasons possible for cucumber.

Main seed stakeholders: Rijk Zwaan, Clause, Enza Zaden, Sakata, NongWoo Bio, Nunhems, Seminis, local producers

Table 2. Descriptors of major tomato segments in Uzbekistan, segments 1 and 2.

Market value estimate from RIVMCP staff and seed sellers. Export value 50% plus higher than local market. Exports mainly to Russia.
Lower export opportunity as Russia market produce locally.
TBC – to be confirmed
Early requires greenhouse heating. Single season for tomato, two for cucumber.
Disease/insect resistance/tolerance based on observation reports of symptoms.
Seedlings sown late December – January, February, May – June
Two seasons possible if heating.

Main seed stakeholders: Rijk Zwaan, Clause, Enza Zaden, Sakata, NongWoo Bio, Nunhems, Seminis, Hazera, Eden Seeds, local producers.