Guadalsem

Founded in 2010, Guadalsem has carved a specific market in the European agricultural sector with its dedication to providing the best seed genetics. The company’s commitment to sustainable crop cultivation and increasing farmer incomes has set it apart, especially in the wake of Europe’s food price crises and shortages. Guided by the visionary leadership of Olivier Crassous and sustained without external financial investments, Guadalsem stands as a testament to innovation and resilience in agricultural advancements.

Its services can be broadly classified into two main categories—breeding, producing, and marketing premium seeds, along with offering seed production services to multinational corporations.

Guadalsem’s journey began with cotton when it launched its flagship K product line, focusing on traits like adaptability, growth cycle, productivity, and fiber quality. In a significant move in 2014, the company partnered with key players in the global cotton market to develop a robust genetic improvement program. This initiative brought forth a portfolio of non-GMO cotton varieties tailored to the agroclimatic conditions of Spain, Greece, and Turkey, providing European farmers with access to world-class genetic advancements in cotton.

The company’s foray into cereal breeding, targeting the underrepresented spring species, further exemplifies its commitment to innovation and diversification. This strategic expansion complements its cotton market expertise, ensuring Guadalsem remains at the forefront of agricultural development with a portfolio that responds adeptly to the food industry’s evolving needs.

As a mark of quality, Guadalsem’s certification represents a pledge to its cutting-edge breeding practices and influence in shaping the future of global agriculture.

The same level of proficiency also extends to its second business line—seed production services, which has solidified its status as a provider of choice for large-scale crops, such as sunflower, rapeseed, and cotton. Its quality and purity standards have garnered the trust of many major global corporations, leading to formidable partnerships. For instance, the company’s fruitful collaborations with prominent international seed corporations such as Bayer AG, Corteva Agriscience, BASF, Lidea, Limagrain, and RAGT have been a driving force behind the continual expansion of Guadalsem’s activities.

“Our dedication to sustainability has been recognised with the prestigious ‘Premios Andalucía Excelente’ award in the Sustainability category for two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022,” says Crassous, general manager.

These accolades affirm Guadalsem’s role as a catalyst in Europe’s sustainable agricultural endeavours.

The European Cotton Renaissance with Guadalsem’s Non-GMO Revolution

In an industry predominantly governed by genetically modified organisms, Guadalsem stands apart, securing a specific market in the cultivation of non-GMO cotton within the European market—specifically in Spain, Greece, and Turkey, with the latter being an especially key market. This strategic positioning is significant in a sector where GMOs account for the vast majority of global production.

Confronting the decline of non-GMO cotton breeding programs in Europe, a challenge precipitated by the withdrawal of two major U.S. industry entities, Delta Pine and Phytogen, Guadalsem has played a crucial role in safeguarding the cotton industry from potential downturns in productivity and sustainability.

With a focused and innovative approach, Guadalsem has benefited from his collaborations of advanced techniques, such as molecular markers and comprehensive data analytics, to enhance both the reliability and productivity of its cotton varieties. This proactive strategy became essential in maintaining and progressing the cotton sector in these targeted regions.

Today, the success of the cotton breeding program is instrumental in ensuring the longevity and sustainability of cotton cultivation in Europe. While the market in countries like India, China, or the U.S. vastly overshadows that of Europe, the combined market potential of approximately 450,000 hectares in Turkey, 260,000 in Greece, and 52,000 in Spain is still quite substantial. This specific market presents Guadalsem with a distinct opportunity for growth and success.

“We are one of the primary cotton seed producers in Europe, and our superior-quality seeds have yielded considerable success, with sales in Spain accounting for 46 percent of their turnover, while exports to Greece and Turkey comprise 54 percent,” says Crassous.

The Green Gathering for Agricultural Innovations

Guadalsem aims to empower farmers with comprehensive knowledge and resources for managing their crops. This encompasses various critical aspects, such as fertilisation, water management, seed selection, and effective solutions for insect and weed control. Its effort to enhance agricultural practices and support farmers is notably showcased in its flagship event, ExpoAlgodón.

‘ExpoAlgodón’ is more than an event; it is a synergistic platform that draws over a thousand farmers, offering them an immersive experience in the latest agricultural innovations, including advancements in fertilisers, seeds, and plant protection products.

In partnership with leading multinationals, Guadalsem conducts extensive three-year trial cycles. These trials assess various formulations, sowing densities, and fertilisation strategies, equipping farmers with practical knowledge that goes beyond seed sales.

Cultivating Durability in Drylands

In Andalusia, where extreme temperatures and limited water supply present formidable challenges, Guadalsem has established an extensive breeding and screening program for spring soft and durum wheat. The program is designed to select varieties best suited to these arduous conditions. It significantly emphasises traits such as drought and disease resistance, low input requirements, and adaptability to climate change. Guadalsem’s foresight here has been integral to enhancing the sustainability of agriculture in the region and contributing to global food security.

These efforts are bolstered by strategic collaborations with many prominent public institutions in Spain, including The Spanish National Research Council, Andalusian Institute of Agricultural, Fisheries, Food, and Organic Production Research and Training, as well as The Group for the Evaluation of New Varieties of Extensive Crops in Spain (GENVCE).

The new varieties developed through this concerted effort are poised to benefit countries across the Mediterranean Valley, reflecting Guadalsem’s vision of resilient and sustainable agriculture beyond regional boundaries.

Playing a Critical Role in Modernising Global Agriculture

Guadalsem has a multifaceted strategy to penetrate the market, which includes direct sales to farmers through an established network of distributors, leveraging multipliers to expand outreach, and partnering with seed companies for international seed production, extending its reach to countries including Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and others across Europe.

Complementing its market strategies, the company is also at the forefront of promoting agricultural modernisation. It advocates for integrating innovative breeding techniques and digital solutions, recognising their essential role in advancing agriculture. A prime example of this is Guadalsem’s comprehensive traceability system. Spanning quite 5,000 hectares, this system goes beyond mere operation. It is a pivotal tool in refining agronomic practices and enhancing the company’s impact on agriculture. The use of such digital infrastructure not only supports the company’s market strategies by assuring quality and traceability to partners and customers but reiterates its dedication to sustainable agronomic practices.

Driven by this forward-thinking mindset, Guadalsem has evolved into a powerhouse in genetic research and premium seed production, from cotton to cereals. By concentrating on quality, sustainability, and adaptability, the company leads the way in tackling the multifaceted challenges facing global agriculture and plays a key role in moulding its future.