KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA is a Germany-based crop science company specializing in the development, production and sale of plant seeds. Founded in 1856 and headquartered in Einbeck, Lower Saxony, KWS has grown from a regional seed trader into one of the world’s leading seed companies. The firm’s core expertise encompasses plant breeding and seed technology, with a strong historical emphasis on sugar beet genetics that has expanded over time to include other key crops.
Today, KWS’s product portfolio covers a range of field crops, including sugar beet, corn, cereals (such as wheat and barley), oilseeds (including rapeseed and sunflower) and pulses (notably peas and beans). The company combines traditional breeding methods with advanced biotechnological tools and digital agriculture services to enhance yield potential, disease resistance and environmental resilience. KWS collaborates with research institutes, universities and industry partners to drive innovation in genetics and precision farming.
KWS has a broad geographic footprint, operating in more than 70 countries across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Its global network comprises production sites, research stations and sales subsidiaries that tailor seed varieties and agronomic support to regional climates and farming systems. In North America, South America and Eastern Europe, KWS has notably expanded its market share in corn and cereal seeds, while in Western Europe and parts of Asia it remains a leading supplier of sugar beet varieties.
Under the leadership of CEO Dr. Stefan Hadersbeck, KWS employs over 5,000 people worldwide. The company maintains a commitment to sustainability, aiming to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture through crop genetics, resource-efficient cultivation techniques and integrated digital solutions. Governance is overseen by a supervisory board that includes representatives of the founding family and independent experts, ensuring a long-term strategic focus on innovation and stakeholder value.
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