The new facility, which will employ seven phytopathology experts, comprises offices, phytotrons, laboratory space and a greenhouse – with another one planned for next year – all spread over 3,000 square meters. A 110 kWh photovoltaic system on the roof of the building generates sustainable energy for the entire site.
“Our new phytopathology station serves as a central hub for plant pathology research on our fruit vegetable crops. It will enable us to respond even more quickly, agilely and appropriately to challenges in vegetable cultivation in the future,” explains Daniel Jimenez, Head of Crop Pathology at KWS Vegetables. “We want to provide growers with varieties that are not only productive, but also resilient and reliable under pressure.”
Alongside Almería, Murcia is KWS’s second strategic research and breeding location in the important Spanish vegetable market. The approximately 17-hectare site has been home to a breeding station with greenhouses as well as an office since 2023. The location is strategically advantageous for plant pathology research because many relevant plant diseases occur in the region and can be studied on site, enabling faster insights, better data and more targeted breeding decisions. This proximity allows KWS to help with global disease challenges from a local base, driving solutions that matter in the field.
Background: New Vegetables business unit
KWS entered the vegetable seed market in 2019 with the aim of becoming a significant market player. To this end, the company is pursuing a long-term strategy that, in addition to selling licensed varieties and making targeted acquisitions, focuses primarily on the organic expansion of its own breeding activities. An international network of research and breeding stations has been established for this purpose, which now comprises ten sites in the Netherlands, Brazil, Spain, Turkey, Italy and Mexico.
KWS expects to be able to launch new, innovative varieties for all nine vegetable crops in its portfolio within the next three years – built on collaboration and scientific excellence.