From small seeds big things grow

Australian export case study

In 2003, four friends with a unique set of skills between them started a new venture called Seed Genetics Australia.  Their aim: to breed, produce and market improved pasture and fodder proprietary products. 

Success came rapidly, building on the four partners’ combined long experience in the seed business.

Seed Genetics is now the largest exporter of Australian-bred pasture and fodder varieties, shipping over 3,000 tonnes of Alfalfa / Lucerne, White Clover, and Clover seeds per year to more than seventeen countries around the world. 

Mark Harvey, Director Sales & Marketing and one of the founding partners, said that the aim of Seed Genetics’ R&D is to produce seeds that are reliable, have plant persistence under livestock grazing, are disease and pest resistant, and have increased plant production. 

The company sells to countries which lie roughly at the same latitudes as Australia: on the Eurasian landmass from Portugal to the Middle East; in South America to both Argentina and Chile; and in North America to Mexico and across the United States.

Mr Harvey said that Austrade had helped the company enter new markets around the world. “So many Austrade offices around the world have helped us.”

He mentions the assistance Seed Genetics has received from Austrade in Buenos Aires, Cairo and Johannesburg.

“And Austrade Riyadh has been a great support; introducing us to clients and helping us do business in Saudi Arabia.”