b"certified rye varieties and is actively expanding into vegetables and food ingredients.Were convinced that vegetables are an absolutely growing market, Bchting says. With the change in consumer behavior, there will be more demand, not less.In addition to acquiring Pop Vriend Seeds in the NetherlandsMy grandfather and Geneplanta in Italy, KWS has built up an entirely new net- always said,work of breeding and research locations across Europe and the Americas. The company now focuses on nine key vegetableWe live off thecrops including beans, spinach, tomatoes and peppers. trust of the farmer.Serving the Entire Value ChainFelix Bchting, KWS CEOBchting believes genetics can create value not just for farmers, but for the entire food chain.Were looking beyond the farm gate, he says. Can our prod-ucts offer an added value that is maybe not agronomic, but rather a benefit for the food processing or manufacturing industry?KWS is exploring how plant-based proteins and ingredients can offer genetics-based advantages for food companies. Even as the plant-based protein market settles, Bchting sees contin-ued growth.The bubble may have burst a bit, but we still see 15% growth year over year, he says. Theres clear interest, and were well-positioned to contribute.Your Seed PartnerAbove all, Bchting says, KWS is committed to being a true partner to farmers.My grandfather always said, 'We live off the trust of the farmer,' he says. With our broad crop portfolio, we can accom-pany them over their lifetime, so to speak, with a complete crop rotation.The trademark Kleinwanzlebener Original was registered in 1885.KWS at a GlanceFounded:Core Values: Recent Innovations:CR+ sugar 1856 in Klein Wanzleben, Germany Closeness, Independence,beet, InsectPROTECT oilseed rape, Foresight, Reliability certified rye for sustainable feed.Employees: ~5,000R&D Investment: Strategic Growth Areas: Genetic Annual Revenue: 1.7 billion 326 million; 1/3 of workforce solutions for different agriculturalin R&D demands, e.g. reduced chemical Countries Active: 70+ use, vegetables, food ingredients, Key Crops:hybridisation in different crops.Ownership: Sugar beet, corn, cereals,Publicly traded;~30% free float, majority vegetables, oilseed rape, sunflowerfamily-owned54/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2025"