Syngenta launches first hybrid wheat in France

SWITZERLAND – Syngenta, a global agricultural technology company, has received registration approval for its X-Terra hybrid wheat in France.

The company says the innovation will help farmers manage climate variability and improve wheat performance.

X-Terra is Europe’s first commercially scalable hybrid wheat. By boosting yield consistency and stress resilience, Syngenta says it supports more sustainable wheat production and efficient use of inputs.

“Wheat is one of the world’s most important crops, accounting for nearly a fifth of global calories,” said Onur Camili, head of Syngenta’s seeds field crops business in Europe. “Being the first to bring a scalable hybrid wheat system to market reflects Syngenta’s long-term commitment to innovation and speed in developing technologies farmers need. X-Terra hybrid wheat provides a level of performance and consistency that will outpace conventional varieties.”

Syngenta notes that wheat is the most genetically complex staple crop. By screening entire genomes to identify key traits, such as viability, nutrition, and tolerance to extreme weather, the company developed hybrid wheat technology and refined the breeding process to achieve commercial scale.

The launch introduces SY Sphynx and SY Xanthis as the first hybrid wheat products available for the 2026 sowing season in France. Plans exist to expand to other European markets, including the United Kingdom and Germany.

Renewable energy support

Earlier this year, Syngenta signed a five-year virtual power purchase agreement with Statkraft to supply renewable electricity for its European operations. The deal covers 125 GWh per year, reaching 625 GWh by 2030, based on wind power generated in Germany.

The agreement supports Syngenta’s carbon reduction strategy while maintaining operational efficiency.

“This is Syngenta’s first vPPA, marking a key step in our carbon reduction strategy,” said Rachel Stenson Bugnon, Global Head CP Sourcing at Syngenta. “This approach allows us to make real progress toward our carbon targets while maintaining operational efficiency across our European facilities.”

Statkraft explained that the vPPA links companies to renewable generation through an artificial wind farm model that mirrors onshore wind output in Germany. “We are pleased to support Syngenta with this PPA solution to reduce emissions from its production,” said Sascha Schröder, Vice President Central European Origination at Statkraft.

“VPPAs are becoming increasingly important in Germany as companies seek long-term green power agreements that fit their sourcing strategy.”

With X-Terra now approved and green energy secured, Syngenta aims to provide European farmers with a stable and sustainable path for wheat production while reducing its operational footprint.

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