Plants

Plant breeding is the starting point of the agricultural and horticultural value chain: it lays the basis for healthy food, a high quality of life and our future energy supply. It is the breeders' objective to provide optimized varieties and premium seeds which are best suited to meet tomorrow's challenges, such as climate change or food security for a growing population.

German plant breeding is characterized by a high degree of flexibility and innovative potential. Some 100 companies are active in breeding of agricultural crops. Approximately half of them stage breeding projects in Germany itself, the others are involved in variety distribution. Some further 20 companies are active in horticultural breeding and develop vegetables and ornamental plants. In addition, approximately 20 seed traders, brokers and service companies are committed to improved seed marketing.

Plant breeders lay the basis for healthy food, high quality of life and for future energy supply. It is the innovative varieties developed by plant breeding – agriculture, horticulture, the food industry – that enabled the next players in the processing chain to produce the products the consumer.

This high degree of productive efficiency is the result of considerable investment into research and development. An R&D ratio to turnover of 16.9 per cent qualifies German plant breeding as high-end technology – it thereby outgrows even the pharmaceutical or chemical industries.

Key figures for German plant breeding:

• approx. 130 plant breeding and seed trading members
• total turnover USD 1 billion
• 12,000 employments (including seed production)
• 150,000 sq m green house area
• 3,700 ha breeding nurseries area
• 25 biotech laboratories

Find the producers here: