An Innovative Industry

Plant breeding in Germany is a dynamic branch of the economy . Its structure - mostly medium-sized enterprises - accounts for this innovative power. There are approximately 130 companies developing or marketing plant varieties in Germany. Some 100 companies are developing varieties of agricultural crops, of which one half are carrying out own, proprietary breeding programmes. The other 30 companies are developing varieties for horticultural crops, mostly vegetables or ornamental plants. Other companies have specialized in the marketing and trading of varieties of seeds. The breeding companies are usually active in various different crops.