Bayer’s €1bn wheat bet: Hybrid seeds move from research project to growth engine

Bayer has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with French seed breeder RAGT, granting it access to elite wheat genetics and advancing its plans to commercialise hybrid wheat in Europe and North America by the early 2030s. Hybrid wheat, produced by crossing genetically distinct parent lines, promises higher yields and greater resilience, addressing stagnating wheat production and climate pressures. The deal strengthens Bayer’s position in the market and aims to build a transatlantic wheat franchise, with RAGT and Bayer sharing a vision to accelerate hybrid wheat development and meet the evolving needs of global agriculture.