b'PARTNER CONTENTPhoto: Julia LormisThe Value Chain Begins With The SeedHOW PLANT BREEDING IS MAKING AN INITIAL CONTRIBUTION TO FOOD DEVELOPMENT.Apeas since the 1980s. Today, the company is one of the leading look at todays eating habits shows that many consumers are now switching to a more plant-based diet, includingsuppliers of yellow grain peas in Europe. Over time, a large alternative food products to traditional meat, milk andgenetic pool of varieties with high natural diversity has been cheese. Around 51% of Europeans who eat meat have reducedcreatedalso with different traits that are relevant to food.their meat consumption, 38% choose a flexible diet or have givenHowever, plant breeding and identifying suitable material up meat completely1. These figures and trends show that thewith improved traits for food takes timeand the willingness market for plant proteins in Europe is growing. But how can theto invest heavily in research and development. This ambition new demand be met? can only come to life by combining the know-how from breed-For a conscious and healthy lifestyle, many consumers areing, nutrition and production, starting with seeds and grains looking for food which is less processed, and which transparentlyto the final food products. Close cooperation between all the labels the ingredients used. Other criteria include sustainableparties involved along the entire value chain is therefore of and local production as well as quality. However, according tovital importance for KWS to successfully and vigorously drive the GFI2, taste and price are crucial factors when deciding to buyforward the development of plant-based protein products. With alternative foods for a plant-based diet. Against this backdrop,that in mind, KWS is already working with leading food pro-one of the biggest challenges for food producers is sourcingducers in the industry to understand their specific needs and protein ingredients that ideally combine good taste, a goodrequirements, and to implement them through breeding. This texture, and good processing properties. combines KWS core competence in plant breeding and the Irrefutably, the long value chain in food production alreadycompanys expertise in food analysis and protein extraction begins with the seed. As a plant breeder and seed specialist,built up over the last few years with the expert knowledge of KWS has recognized that plant breeding, starting with high-qual- the partners in the food industry. Customized ingredients can ity seeds, can make a pivotal contribution to food development.thus be developed that are tailored to specific product lines Through breeding and selection, plants with improved propertiesand meet the desired requirements of both the food industry for use as food ingredients can be identified. This may for exam- and consumers.ple mean that the texture of meat substitutes comes closer to theInnovative plant breeding plays a key role in tackling cur-known originals, that the beany off-taste of peas is adapted forrent challenges such as climate change, population growth, or tasty dairy products, or that unappealing food colors are opti- the conservation of natural resources, but can also make an mized. KWS sees great potential in expanding the developmentinitial contribution to food development. Supporting sustainable of suitable protein plants and driving it forward with regard tonutrition and hence the development of varieties whose har-cultivation, food and processing requirements through breeding. vested products can be used directly or in a less processed A valid example of that is the grain pea. It is suitable forform in food is part of the KWS Sustainability Ambition 2030, the local production of plant proteins and can be used both aswith which the company has set itself measurable goals for feedstuff and for human nutrition. KWS has been breeding grainmore sustainable agriculture.1 " Evolving Appetites: An In-Depth Look at European Attitudes Towards Plant-Based Eating". ProVeg International, University of Copenhagen, and Ghent University, 2023. Smart Protein Project.2The Good Food Institute. Consumer Insights. GFI, www.gfi.org/industry/consumer-insights/. Accessed 4 Sept. 2025.SEPTEMBER 2025|SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPEISEED WORLD EUROPE I 31'