Bayer inaugurates Khon Kaen Vegetable Seeds Production Center as Asia hub

Large scale and advanced technology

On February 25, 2026, in the city of Khon Kaen, Bayer Thai officially inaugurated its new Vegetable Seed Production Center, marking a significant milestone in strengthening Asia’s role within Bayer’s global seed supply network.

The event drew participation from representatives of government regulatory agencies, business leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, partners across the value chain, and numerous regional media outlets.

The center was newly-built with a total investment of 310 million baht (approximately 8 million euros) and has been operational since January 2026. Developed on an area of around 48,000 square meters, the facility consolidates Bayer’s former production sites in Sakon Nakhon and Ban Pet (Khon Kaen) into a centralized production hub serving the Asia-Pacific region.

The site will serve as a production and export hub for high-quality vegetable seeds under two global brands, Seminis and De Ruiter. Products from Khon Kaen are supplied to key markets including the United States, the Netherlands, China, Japan, South Korea, and countries across Southeast Asia.

Production under stringent standards

A defining feature of the Khon Kaen Vegetable Seed Production Center is the integration of the entire seed processing workflow. From intake and incoming quality inspection to cleaning, washing, drying, conditioning, automated packaging, laboratory testing, storage in temperature- and humidity-controlled warehouses, and final shipment, all operations are carried out under standardized procedures.

The facility complies with international standards ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018. It also implements a digital traceability system to ensure transparency, consistent quality, and compliance with stringent export market requirements.

The Khon Kaen Center currently produces five crop groups, including 13 key vegetable varieties: solanaceous crops (tomato, chili pepper, eggplant), cucurbits (cucumber, watermelon, melon, pumpkin, gourd), brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower), sweet corn, and lettuce. These varieties are designed to support regenerative agriculture, enhance resilience, and maintain high commercial quality.

Seeds as the foundation of food security

According to international reports, approximately 15% of global food production is lost during harvest and before reaching the market. Improved seed varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases, adaptable to extreme weather conditions, and optimized for efficient water use can help farmers "produce more with fewer resources," while reducing emissions per unit of output.

"In the face of climate change and rising production risks, the Khon Kaenvegetable seed production center plays a central role in delivering climate‑smartseed solutions at scale," said Ms. Inci Dannenberg, President of Global VegetableSeeds, Bayer AG.

Our goal is to create impact at the very start of the value chain by providing farmers with high‑quality vegetable seeds that help them grow productive, resilient, and nutritious crops. When farmers succeed, the entire food system benefits, delivering better vegetables to consumers and advancing our vision of ‘Health for all, Hunger for none, she stated. 

The Khon Kaen Center is a key link in Bayer’s global seed production network, alongside facilities in the United States, the Netherlands, Chile, China, and India. Strengthening capacity in Asia not only helps diversify supply sources but also enhances flexibility in the face of geopolitical and climate-related uncertainties.

Beyond production, Bayer stated that it will roll out training programs, technical support, and value chain partnerships to build capacity for farmers, particularly smallholders. The Center will also collaborate with local research institutes and universities to foster innovation in plant breeding.

Amid rising demand for safe, high-quality vegetable, especially across Asia-Pacific markets the establishment of the Vegetable Seeds Production Center in Khon Kaen province (Thailand) is expected to help ensure a stable seed supply, support farmers in improving incomes, and contribute to regional food security.

Farmers face mounting pressure from climate volatility, shrinking arable land and food loss. Around 1.2 billion tonnes is lost annually during harvest and pre-market handling, while droughts, floods and heatwaves continue to intensify. Improved seed varieties remain one of the most effective ways to increase marketable yields, reduce losses, improve water efficiency and lower the environmental footprint per kilogram of food produced.