SEMAE
SEMAE is the French interprofessional organization for seeds and plants, coordinating 61 federations representing 16,500 seed growers, 67 breeders, and 255 production companies. It delivers official seed certification (SOC), professional training, and variety databases, and supports France's position as the world's leading agricultural seed exporter (€1.3B trade surplus).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1962
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SEMAE does
SEMAE (formerly GNIS) is the French interprofessional organization for seeds and plants, established in 1962 under decree n°62-585 and reorganized/rebranded in January 2021 to reflect its scope across all seed categories and uses. Headquartered in Paris (44 rue du Louvre) with an operations and logistics center in Beaucouzé, SEMAE is a private-law entity with "sui generis" legal status — not a commercial company but a sector-coordination body representing 61 federations and professional associations across the French seed value chain: 67 plant breeding companies, 255 seed production companies, 16,500 contract seed growers (multiplicateurs), 390,000+ end-user farmers, and 17 million home gardeners.
SEMAE's core technology and service platform centers on four operating lines. (1) SOC-France (Service Officiel de Contrôle et Certification), the official delegated public service that executes seed field inspections, lot controls, plant health verification, and certification for both French and EU/OECD seed schemes. (2) Variety databases integrating the French national catalogue, the European catalogue (45,500+ varieties), CPVO, UPOV, and OECD databases. (3) Technical regulations homologated by the French Ministry of Agriculture, covering cereals, maize, beets, oilseeds, flax/hemp, potatoes, forages, and vegetables. (4) SEMAE FORMATION, a wholly-owned training subsidiary operating in 40+ countries with 120+ training themes, 180+ courses, and 1,300+ trainees annually. Adjacent products include a publications shop, business directory, Semae Traduction translation services, weekly news (Semences Webdo), MOOCs, and a podcast series.
The business model is funded through interprofessional contributions from member federations, fees from SOC certification and control services, training fees, publication sales, and event-related revenue. With 51-100 direct employees, SEMAE is structurally a small organization with outsized sectoral reach: the French seed industry it represents generates €3.9 billion in turnover, €2.3 billion in exports, a €1.3 billion trade surplus, and reaches 150 countries — making France the world's leading exporter of agricultural seeds. Distribution is direct/B2B and interprofessional, delivered through the Paris HQ, the Beaucouzé logistics center, a network of SOC field operations, and an international cooperation footprint covering 60 partner countries. SEMAE does not appear to operate a software product, API, or commercial SaaS — its outputs are regulatory services, training, information products, and sector representation.
SEMAE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SEMAE
- Legal name
- SEMAE, l'interprofession des semences et plants
- Website
- https://semae.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1962
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- SEMAE is the French interprofessional organization for seeds and plants, coordinating 61 federations representing 16,500 seed growers, 67 breeders, and 255 production companies. It delivers official seed certification (SOC), professional training, and variety databases, and supports France's position as the world's leading agricultural seed exporter (€1.3B trade surplus).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SEMAE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Seed Certification Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Farm Management Services (115116), Postharvest Crop Activities (except Cotton Ginning) (115114)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700), Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Seed Quality Testing & Certification Services (AFAGAIAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Seed Quality Testing & Certification Support (Germination, Purity, Vigor) (AFAOADAK), Supplier Approval, Verification & Food Safety Risk Management (GFSI-aligned) (AFALADAH)
Keywords
Where SEMAE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
SEMAE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Interprofessional Representation and Services: SEMAE generates revenue through membership contributions from its 61 federations and professional associations, fees for certification and control services (SOC), publication sales, training programs (SEMAE FORMATION), and event organization. The organization operates as a non-profit interprofessional body.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Publications and resource sales |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
SEMAE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SEMAE is the French interprofessional organization for seeds and plants, coordinating 61 federations across field crops, forage, vegetables/flowers, and vines. Its core services include official seed certification and quality control (SOC France), maintenance of the national plant variety database, professional training through its SEMAE Formation subsidiary, industry representation before French and EU authorities, and translation services for seed-related documentation.
Product overview
SEMAE is an interprofessional organization (not a software product company) representing the French seed and plant sector. The organization provides a unified platform of services including: official seed certification through SOC France, professional training via SEMAE FORMATION, access to variety databases (French and European catalogues with 45,500+ varieties), a publications shop, business directory, translation services, and weekly news updates. SEMAE serves as a coordination body for 61 federations and professional associations across multiple seed categories including cereals, maize, potatoes, vegetables, oilseeds, flax, and hemp. The organization also maintains technical regulations for seed production, control, and certification, and provides international cooperation services. While SEMAE operates websites and databases, it is not a software-as-a-service product with modules or integrations in the technology product sense.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SOC-France: Direction de la Qualité et du Contrôle Officiel - The official technical service responsible for seed and plant control and certification missions
Products and services
- SOC France (Service Officiel de Contrôle et Certification) Official French seed certification service covering varietal identity control, seed health verification, and quality assurance for seed lots placed on the market. Used by seed companies, multipliers, and distributors operating in France.
- SEMAE Formation Professional training subsidiary of SEMAE providing seed sector training delivered in more than 40 countries. Targeted at seed industry professionals, regulators, and international partner organizations.
- National Plant Variety Database (Catalogue Officiel) Online reference database covering 45,500 plant varieties registered in France. Used by breeders, farmers, distributors, researchers, and international partners to identify and source registered varieties.
- Semences Webdo Weekly news bulletin published by SEMAE covering developments in the French seed sector, targeted at seed industry professionals and stakeholders.
- Semae Traduction Specialized translation service for seed sector documentation, supporting international trade and regulatory submissions. Targeted at seed companies and international partners requiring certified translations of technical and regulatory materials.
- SEMAE Business Directory (Annuaire) Online business directory listing seed sector companies active in France. Used by buyers, suppliers, and international partners to identify seed industry counterparties.
- SEMAE Publications Catalog of seed sector reference materials including books, guides, and technical documents on seed production, certification, and regulation. Targeted at seed professionals, students, and researchers.
Quantifiable outcome
- France produces 600+ new plant varieties per year
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SEMAE
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
SEMAE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
SEMAE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Japan - Ministry of Agriculture Delegation VisitminorSEMAE hosted a Japanese delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food for three days to study the global seed industry and French seed sector policy. Included meetings with INRAE, SICASOV, INOV, and a French seed company.
- ASEAN - UPOV Plant Breeders' Rights SeminarminorSEMAE participated in a seminar organized by the Philippines Department of Agriculture with Japan Ministry support and UPOV, focusing on plant variety protection in ASEAN countries. SEMAE is a member of the East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum.
- Iran - Institutional Cooperation AgreementcoreBilateral cooperation agreement signed with Iran to strengthen the Iranian seed sector through development of a regulatory framework favorable to variety diffusion and agricultural objectives facing water resources and climate change. Signed by Pierre Pagès (Vice-President SEMAE) and Alireza Mohajer (Advisor to Iranian Minister).
- 60 Partner Countries (Bilateral/Multilateral)coreSEMAE has established collaborations with 60 countries across 5 continents through bilateral and multilateral partnerships. These include partnerships with regional seed associations (APSA in Asia, AFSTA in Africa), regional economic organizations (ECOWAS, COMESA, SADC, ASEAN), and regional IP organizations (OAPI, ARIPO). The organization provides guidance on developing viable seed sectors respecting international standards.
- OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development)coreSEMAE's SOC is the national designated authority responsible for ensuring seed compliance with OECD certification standards. Head of SOC attends OECD's two annual meetings on seed schemes improvement.
- ISTA (International Seed Testing Association)coreSEMAE collaborates with ISTA for standardizing seed testing methods. SOC uses ISTA methods for seed sampling in certification processes.
- UPOV (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants)coreSEMAE supports nationally implementing UPOV regulations related to plant variety rights. France is a member of UPOV with 75 member countries.
- GEVES (Variety and Seed Study and Control French Group)coreGEVES conducts agronomical, technical and environmental tests for variety registration in the French catalogue. Collaborates with CTPS (French Technical Plant Breeding Committee).
- SICASOV (Société Civile d'Intérêt des Obtenteurs de Semences et Plants)coreSICASOV manages intellectual property rights for plant varieties in France. Mr Lecrivain from SICASOV presented at the Japanese delegation visit.
- INOV (Institut National de la Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement)coreMrs Meresse from INOV presented to the Japanese delegation on National Office for Plant Breeder's Rights. INRAE and its predecessor INRA conduct public research on plant breeding innovation.
- INAO (Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité)coreCollaboration with INAO and its organic seeds commission to manage the organic seed database helping organic farmers procure seeds. Since 2004, SEMAE has managed a database on organic seed availability.
- CPVO (Community Plant Variety Office)coreCPVO manages the EU system for protecting plant variety rights across member states. SEMAE provides access to CPVO variety finder database with 49,000 varieties.
- SEMAE FORMATION International ClientsminorSEMAE's training subsidiary serves international clients from over 40 countries annually. More than 150 clients, 180+ courses, and 1,300+ people trained per year.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SEMAE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Euroseeds: European seed trade association representing the broader European seed industry at EU level. Highly comparable as a sector-wide representative body, though operating at the European rather than national/interprofessional level and without SEMAE's official certification mandate (SOC).
- International Seed Federation (ISF): Global seed industry association. Comparable as a coordinating body for seed trade, breeding, and policy advocacy, but global in scope with no national certification authority, contrasting with SEMAE's state-delegated official control role.
- American Seed Trade Association (ASTA): US national seed trade association. Broadly comparable as a national seed trade body, though operating in a fundamentally different regulatory environment (no equivalent state-delegated certification monopoly like SOC).
Direct peers
- Bundesverband Deutscher Pflanzenzüchter (BDP): German plant breeders' association. The closest direct peer — a national-level trade body for seed/plant breeders with a comparable coordinating and policy role for the German seed sector, SEMAE's main European competitor.
- Plantum NL: Dutch association for the plant breeding and propagation sector. Direct peer as another national interprofessional-style body representing Dutch breeders, multipliers, and propagators, competing with SEMAE in European seed trade coordination.
- ANOVE (Asociación Nacional de Obtentores Vegetales): Spanish national association of plant breeders. Direct peer representing Spanish breeders and seed producers; mirrors SEMAE's role for the Spanish sector and is a fellow member of European seed policy discussions.
- Assosementi: Italian seed association representing the Italian seed industry. Direct peer with similar interprofessional representation, regulatory engagement, and technical coordination role for Italy's seed value chain.
Others
- GEVES (Groupe d'Étude et de contrôle des Variétés et des Semences): French group for variety and seed testing. Closely comparable technical peer — collaborates with SEMAE/CTPS on French catalogue variety registration and DUS/VCU trials. An ecosystem partner and partial functional parallel to SOC's testing activities.
- SICASOV: French society managing plant variety intellectual property rights for breeders. Closely comparable as a French seed-sector infrastructure organization and core SEMAE partner; complementary rather than competitive, handling IP rights while SEMAE handles certification and coordination.
Regional players
- AFSTA (African Seed Trade Association): Continental African seed trade association. Thematic peer — SEMAE actively partners with AFSTA in capacity-building programs; comparable function but operating in a different geography with distinct membership and regulatory frameworks.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SEMAE social profiles
Digital presenceSEMAE compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
SEMAE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SEMAE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
SEMAE subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SEMAE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SEMAE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SEMAE
What does SEMAE do?
SEMAE is the French interprofessional organization for seeds and plants, coordinating 61 federations across field crops, forage, vegetables/flowers, and vines. Its core services include official seed certification and quality control (SOC France), maintenance of the national plant variety database, professional training through its SEMAE Formation subsidiary, industry representation before French and EU authorities, and translation services for seed-related documentation.
Is SEMAE a public or private company?
SEMAE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SEMAE founded?
SEMAE was founded in 1962. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is SEMAE based?
SEMAE is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does SEMAE make money?
One revenue line is on record: interprofessional Representation and Services.
Who are SEMAE's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Euroseeds, International Seed Federation (ISF) and American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). Direct peers are Bundesverband Deutscher Pflanzenzüchter (BDP), Plantum NL, ANOVE (Asociación Nacional de Obtentores Vegetales) and Assosementi. Others are GEVES (Groupe d'Étude et de contrôle des Variétés et des Semences) and SICASOV. AFSTA (African Seed Trade Association) is listed as a regional player.
Does SEMAE have an API?
No public API is recorded for SEMAE.
What industry is SEMAE in?
SEMAE's product category is Agricultural Seed Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAGAIAI, Seed Quality Testing & Certification Services, with a secondary code of AFAOADAK, Seed Quality Testing & Certification Support (Germination, Purity, Vigor). Its NAICS code is 11511 and its SIC code is 700.