Syngenta Opens $10 Million R&D Center in Spain to Reduce Vegetable Seed Breeding Timelines
16 May 2026, Spain: Syngenta has opened a new R&D Technology Center in El Ejido, Almería, Spain, focused on reducing vegetable seed breeding timelines and developing disease-resistant varieties for growers worldwide.
The $10 million facility will work on crops including tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. Syngenta said the center will support breeding programs and help address emerging crop diseases affecting vegetable production.
The center is part of Syngenta’s Innovation Center operations in southern Spain and combines breeding, seed operations, trait development, fruit quality research, data science, and digital technologies in one location.
Matthew Johnston, Global Head of Syngenta Vegetable Seeds, said emerging pathogens are increasingly affecting growers across regions.
“It’s essential to deliver resistant seeds to protect crops and growers’ livelihoods,” Johnston said. “This investment supports our commitment to provide solutions that help protect crops globally.”
Field-to-Lab Research Model
Syngenta said the center follows a field-to-lab approach in which diagnostics begin in growers’ fields before laboratory analysis. The company said this helps researchers connect field observations with breeding and disease management work.
The facility also includes biosafety infrastructure that allows scientists to study emerging pathogens in controlled and quarantined conditions.
Uri Krieger, Global Head of R&D for Syngenta Vegetable Seeds, said the center is part of Syngenta’s global research network supporting vegetable-growing regions worldwide.
“The work conducted here supports growers in Spain and other regions through the sharing of insights and data with R&D teams in major production areas,” Krieger said.
Almería’s Role in Vegetable Production
The center was officially opened on May 14 in the presence of Luis Planas and invited guests.
The Almería region in southern Spain has more than 30,000 hectares of greenhouses and produces nearly 4 million tonnes of vegetables annually, making it one of the world’s major vegetable production areas.
Syngenta said it has invested in the region over several years to support vegetable growers ranging from commercial producers to smallholders. The company added that the new center will contribute to breeding and crop protection research for international vegetable markets.
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