Khon Kaen, Thailand – (25 February 2026) Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. has officially inaugurated its new Vegetable Seeds Production Center in Khon Kaen, strengthening Asia’s role in Bayer’s global seed supply network and expanding export-grade vegetable seed capacity for regional and international markets.
Bayer inaugurates Khon Kaen Vegetable Seeds Production Center as Asia Hub
- New Khon Kaen Center commenced operations January 2026, consolidating existing local sites and enhancing export grade capacity for APAC and global markets.
- Facility integrates, seed washing, automated processing, controlled storage and digital traceability with grower training and partnership programmes.
- In the face of climate change and shrinking arable land, improved seed varieties and regenerative practices help growers “produce more with less” and reduce food loss.
The 310‑million‑THB modern facility (approximately EUR 8 million) began operations in January 2026 and consolidates Bayer’s previous manufacturing sites in Sakon Nakhon Province and Ban Pet District, Khon Kaen, into a single Asia hub. Built on a 30‑rai site (around 48,000 m²), the center supplies vegetable seeds under the Seminis and De Ruiter brands to key markets including the United States, the Netherlands, China, Japan, South Korea, and countries across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
The inauguration was attended by government officials, Bayer executives, diplomatic representatives, value-chain partners and regional media, underscoring growing demand for high-quality, export-ready vegetable seeds across Asia.
“Agricultural success begins with quality seeds and farmers set up to succeed,” said Weraphon Charoenpanit, Country Commercial Lead, Thailand, Cambodia & Myanmar, Corp Science Division, Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. “This center delivers reliable seed supply, stronger traceability, and practical benefits for smallholder farmers and their communities. The company's significant investment underscores its dedication to the region's agricultural advancement.”
H.E. Dr. Ernst Reichel, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand congratulated Bayer and said that “The establishment of this facility demonstrates continued engagement in Thailand’s agricultural sector, facilitates technical exchange, and contributes to efforts promoting sustainable and climate-resilient farming. Seeds are a fundamental component of agricultural production, shaping productivity, resilience, and harvest quality. Investment in seed development and production supports stable food supply chains and long-term agricultural sustainability.”
Built for export and scale
Integrating all critical seed processes under one roof, the center manages the full workflow — from incoming quality selection and cleaning through conditioning, drying and treating, automated packaging, laboratory diagnostics, and temperature‑controlled warehousing and dispatch. Designed for efficiency and export readiness, the facility supports annual dry‑seed production and meets ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 international standards.
Digital traceability and upgraded infrastructure provide the reliability needed for consistent quality and predictable delivery across domestic and global markets.
The site forms part of Bayer’s global seed production network, alongside hubs in the United States, the Netherlands, Chile, China and India.
“In the face of climate change and rising production risks, the Khon Kaen vegetable seed production center plays a central role in delivering climate‑smart seed solutions at scale,” said Inci Dannenberg, President of Global Vegetable Seeds, 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.’”
Why seeds matter
Farmers face mounting pressure from climate volatility, shrinking arable land and food loss. Around 15% of food (1.2 billion tonnes) is lost annually during harvest and pre-market handling, (1) 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.
Mr. Rapibhat Chandarasrivongs, Director General of the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, expressed his support, stating: “Enhancing the quality of agricultural products and strengthening the seed industry are key strategies for Thailand’s national resilience and competitiveness. The inauguration of this high‑quality vegetable seed production center for export will play a vital role in producing seeds that meet international standards, supporting global export markets and providing stable income for farmers. This aligns with the government’s and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives’ goal of advancing Thailand toward becoming a global Agriculture and Food Hub.
For the Department of Agriculture, we are fully committed to driving the Thailand Tropical Seed Hub policy. Our core mission is to facilitate trade — from import and export to the movement of seeds — ensuring these processes are carried out efficiently and to the highest standards. Currently, the Department operates Plant Seed Research and Development Centers across all five regions of the country. For the Northeast region, we have strengthened the Khon Kaen Plant Seed Research and Development Center to provide Seed One‑Stop Service. This will serve as a key infrastructure for quality inspection and certification, supporting the expansion of the seed industry in Khon Kaen and nearby provinces. Our goal is to help Thailand become a sustainable global leader in tropical vegetable seeds.”
Supporting growers and regenerative practices
The center supplies a wide range of vegetable varieties, including Solanaceous crops (Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant), Cucurbits (Cucumber, Watermelon, Melon, Squash, Gourd), Large Seeds (Sweet Corn), Brassica (Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower) and Leafy (Lettuce). These varieties are designed to support regenerative farming practices, with improved resilience to pests, diseases, and weather extremes.
Bayer will work closely with growers through training, agronomic support and value-chain partnerships to improve productivity, reduce losses and enhance market access.
Sustainability is embedded in the facility’s design and operations, including responsible chemical management, upgraded wastewater treatment and worker safety standards.
The Khon Kaen Vegetable Seeds Production Center reinforces Asia’s position as a key supplier of high-quality vegetable seeds and supports more resilient, sustainable food systems across the region as well as farmer’s livelihoods and sustainable source of incomes.
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About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, “Health for all, Hunger for none”, the company’s products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2024, the Group employed around 93,000 people and had sales of 46.6 billion euros. R&D expenses amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.
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