16 July 2026, Germany: Bayer has taken a significant step toward commercializing hybrid wheat by signing an exclusive licensing agreement with RAGT, one of Europe’s leading wheat seed companies. The partnership strengthens Bayer’s ambition to launch hybrid wheat seeds simultaneously in Europe and North America by the early 2030s, targeting annual revenues of up to €1 billion within just over a decade of commercialization.
The agreement forms part of Bayer’s long-term growth strategy to expand beyond its current portfolio of blockbuster products and establish hybrid wheat as a major global seed franchise.
Under the agreement, Bayer gains broad access to RAGT’s elite wheat germplasm developed for European growing conditions. The licensed genetics will complement Bayer’s advanced breeding platform and years of investment in hybrid wheat research, enabling the company to accelerate the development of high-performing varieties designed to improve productivity and resilience under increasingly challenging climatic conditions.
“Wheat is one of the world’s most important staple crops, yet production growth has stagnated while drought and heat stress continue to intensify, as recently experienced across Europe,” said Peter Mueller, Cereals, Cotton, Canola/OSR & Biofuels Lead at Bayer Crop Science. “Combining RAGT’s elite germplasm and expertise with Bayer’s breeding capabilities will significantly strengthen our hybrid wheat pipeline and enable us to deliver greater value to growers across both Europe and North America.”
Sébastien Chatre, Head of R&D at RAGT, said the collaboration represents an important milestone in advancing innovation in wheat breeding.
“We are excited about the opportunities this broad licensing agreement creates. By combining our expertise with Bayer’s capabilities, we can accelerate the development of hybrid wheat solutions that address the evolving needs of farmers and the seed industry.”
Building a Competitive Hybrid Wheat Platform
Bayer will initially focus on winter wheat in Europe, while offering both spring and winter wheat in North America through its established WestBred wheat business.
According to the company, the combined germplasm has the potential to address more than 80% of wheat-growing hectares across Europe and the major wheat classes in the United States. Bayer plans to integrate elite genetics with its expertise in crop protection, precision breeding, seed production, digital agriculture and agronomic services to create a comprehensive wheat production system.
Hybrid Wheat Offers Significant Yield Potential
Hybrid wheat remains one of the least developed opportunities among major global crops despite wheat’s central role in global food security.
Bayer estimates hybrid wheat can deliver approximately 10% higher yields than conventional open-pollinated varieties from the initial stages of commercialization, with further genetic improvements expected over time.
Beyond yield gains, hybrid wheat is expected to provide farmers with improved crop establishment through stronger root systems and faster early growth, contributing to greater resilience against drought, heat and other environmental stresses. The technology could also enhance tolerance to diseases, weeds and pests while improving yield stability under variable growing conditions.
Unlocking Growth in the World’s Largest Food Crop
Wheat is cultivated on more than 220 million hectares worldwide and provides a major source of calories for nearly 30% of the global population. However, climate change, increasing temperatures and prolonged dry conditions are placing growing pressure on production.
With hybrid wheat still representing a relatively untapped segment of the global seed market, Bayer believes the technology offers substantial opportunities to improve food security while creating a significant long-term business.
The agreement with RAGT positions Bayer to accelerate commercialization of hybrid wheat across two major agricultural regions, supporting both farmer productivity and the company’s objective of building a new billion-euro growth platform over the coming decade.
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