Development Of Domestic Breeding In The South Of Russia

According to representatives of southern Russian research centers and agricultural experts, dependence on foreign seeds for some crops recently reached 90%. However, over the past four years, the share of domestic seed has increased from 60.3% to 67.6%. The southern regions-primarily Krasnodar Krai and Rostov Oblast-have become a testing ground for domestic breeding, demonstrating the most significant results.

Let's look at the numbers to see what positions have been won, where gaps remain, and what determines the development vector.

Where sovereignty has already been achieved

Southern Russia is fully self-sufficient in winter grain crops and rice with domestically bred seeds. AiF-Yug reports that in Kuban, 100% of the wheat, barley, triticale, and rice acreage is planted with Russian varieties. National self-sufficiency in wheat has also reached 100%.

Research centers in the Krasnodar Territory play a key role. Local breeding institutes-some of the largest in the world for wheat-every year develop varieties adapted to southern conditions. Several research centers simultaneously conduct research on oilseed crops, ensuring selection for over 30 traits.

In 2025, Kuban breeders developed 20 new varieties, hybrids, and lines of sunflower, soybeans, and rapeseed. Among them is the first domestic spring rapeseed hybrid, distinguished by high oil content and stress tolerance.

After completing testing, the new hybrid will enter industrial production, replacing imported equivalents. The share of domestically bred hybrid sugar beet seeds planted has increased from 9% in 2024 to 19% in 2025. These results demonstrate the systemic nature of import substitution, rather than isolated successes.

Oilseeds and row crops: active growth zone

While grain sovereignty has been achieved, efforts in the oilseed and row crop sectors are proceeding with increasing intensity. The import substitution trend for key crops is as follows:

• Sunflower. Self-sufficiency has doubled in two years, reaching 44%. By the end of 2025, seed supply will reach 55–60%.
• Corn. The share of domestically produced seeds increased by 1.5 times. Production potential covers almost 100% of demand.
• Sugar beet. The share of domestic seeds in Kuban increased from 9% in 2024 to 19% in 2025 and to 24% in 2026.
• Soybeans. Domestic selection fully meets the country's needs, with varieties adapted to the conditions of Kuban and Stavropol.

If current rates are maintained, by 2030 Russia is capable of achieving the Food Security Doctrine target of 75% self-sufficiency in seeds for most major crops.

Investments and breeding infrastructure

Funding for plant breeding in the South is growing at an accelerated pace. In 2026, over 580 million rubles have been allocated for the development of plant breeding and seed production in Krasnodar Krai, as discussed at a visiting meeting of the Agrarian Committee of the Krai Legislative Assembly. An additional 80 million rubles have been allocated from the regional budget for the development of promising spring crop hybrids.

The region's institutional base includes 79 certified seed farms participating in the Rosselkhoztsentr voluntary certification system. Market participants operate a full cycle, from breeding to industrial seed production. The seed business margin in the south reaches 60%, attracting private investors.

It is the combination of government support and private investment that is driving growth rates that seemed unattainable just five years ago. Commercial companies are investing in the creation of seed factories, molecular genetics laboratories, and experimental fields. In 2026, the Krasnodar Krai increased the share of domestic sugar beet seeds in sowing to 24%—a 1.6-fold increase in one year, according to the regional administration's press service.

Technological trends and the role of industry platforms

Modern breeding in southern Russia utilizes tools that fundamentally distinguish it from the classical approach. Key areas include:

1. Marker-associated selection (MAS) accelerates selection for target traits and reduces the breeding cycle from 10–12 to 5–7 years.
2. Genomic editing allows for targeted changes, increasing resistance to disease and stress.
3. Speed ​​breeding is a technology for accelerated growth of generations under controlled conditions.

These technologies require access to modern equipment: climate chambers, DNA sequencers, and automated field platforms. Industry events like the YUGAGRO International Exhibition in Krasnodar are becoming a meeting point for breeders and farmers: over 180 companies presenting seed production solutions participate annually in the "Agrochemicals and Seeds" section.

Domestic plant breeding in southern Russia has evolved from forced import substitution to building an independent industry. Grain sovereignty has been achieved. Sunflower, corn, and sugar beet are experiencing double-digit growth, with shares doubling every two to three years. Maintaining the pace of funding and access to genomic selection technologies remains critical. For market participants-from seed companies to laboratory equipment suppliers-the southern region remains the most dynamic platform shaping the future of Russian plant breeding.