Cereals and pulses seed

More than 6000 different varieties of cereals and pulses are listed in the European Common Catalogue. 

With a total seed production area in Europe of over 1 million hectares, the most important cereals grown are wheat, barley, triticale and oats. Wheat is by far the largest cereal crop produced in the EU after maize. 

The uses for cereals go from feed to food, and that includes, amongst others, bread, pastry, malt, breakfast flakes, pasta and semolina. The most important pulse crops are peas, beans and sweet lupines. These are also used both for feed and food.

Since the early 20th century, breeders have constantly looked to improve the yield, so as to provide farmers with higher performing varieties. Since the 1970s, breeding has also focused on the needs of the downstream industry, such as millers and bakers. As a result, breeders have targeted characteristics such as higher protein content and specific baking qualities. 

Additional targets in breeding aim to overcome abiotic stress factors such as lodging, drought and pests, in order to achieve the general goal of further yield improvements in various geographies all over Europe in a more sustainable manner.