AI-assisted international press reviewPress review

New Genomic Techniques: European Agri-Food Industry Calls for Regulatory Framework Validation

As the plenary vote approaches, a broad coalition of stakeholders in the European agri-food value chain urges Members of the European Parliament to support the adoption of regulations on plants derived from new genomic techniques (NGT). They emphasize the need for a clear legal framework to enhance the sector's competitiveness and sustainability, while highlighting the importance of distinguishing between conventional-type NGT plants and those subject to GMO legislation.

Biopesticides, Microbes, and Nano-Fertilizers: A Selection of High-Potential Startups

Eight Nordic Institutions Unite to Industrialize Plant Phenotyping

In response to climate change, Nordic countries are accelerating agronomic data initiatives with NordPheno, a project led by the University of Helsinki and funded by NordForsk. Bringing together eight research institutions, it aims to establish a digital plant phenotyping infrastructure that combines AI, IoT, and interdisciplinary training. The goal is to expedite varietal selection and enhance crop resilience while training over 100 researchers in five years, aligning with the European Green Deal.

Syngenta Bets on Seedless Angello Peppers to Meet Plant Snack Demand

Syngenta's seedless Angello sweet peppers, valued for their taste and convenience, meet the growing consumer demand for healthy, ready-to-eat products, enabling farmers to position themselves in the rapidly expanding plant snack market. Through agronomic innovations, these seedless peppers offer increased disease resistance and better adaptation to climatic conditions, while allowing producers to maintain consistent yields.

Non-Alcoholic Beers: Lesaffre Launches Dedicated Yeast to Meet Growing Demand

Agritech and Foodtech: Primogene, Opalia, and Earlybird Lead a Wave of Investments and Innovations

The latest news from the agritech sector reveals significant fundraising, strategic acquisitions, and government initiatives to support innovation. Primogene and Opalia stand out with their innovative projects in biomolecules and cell-based dairy products. Meanwhile, Earlybird announces the closing of its largest fund at 360 million euros, strengthening the startup ecosystem in AI and deeptech. The passage of the U.S. farm bill also raises crucial issues for the sector.

Plant Proteins: Green Boy Invests in Fudi Protein and RuBisCO Valorization

Green Boy Group, a global supplier of plant-based food ingredients, has made an early investment in Fudi Protein, an innovative Dutch startup that extracts RuBisCO protein from alfalfa using a localized processing model, allowing the by-products to be returned to local farmers. This protein positions itself as a viable alternative to animal and dairy proteins, meeting the growing demand for high-quality proteins.

Afyren Secures 3 Million Euros for Its Bio-Based Refinery Afyren Neoxy

Biotalys Secures EPA Approval for EVOCA, Refocusing on Biofungicides

Biotalys reaches a key milestone with the EPA's approval of its biofungicide EVOCA, validating its AGROBODY™ technology platform. Concurrently, the Belgian company forms a strategic partnership with AgroFresh to strengthen its post-harvest positions and refocuses its efforts on advanced biofungicide programs. Despite losses in 2025, the company aims for an EVOCA NG launch in the U.S. by 2029, in a market estimated at over one billion dollars.

Syngenta Reports 2% Growth and Strengthens Focus on AI and Bioproducts

In the first quarter of 2026, Syngenta Group recorded a 2% increase in sales, reaching $6.4 billion. The company emphasizes innovation, particularly through next-generation trait technologies and AI-based agronomy solutions. Crop Protection sales performed particularly well in China and Europe, driven by strong demand for biological products.

Biocontrol: Green Algal Oligosaccharides Pave New Path Against Crop Diseases

As global agriculture shifts towards more sustainable solutions, derivatives of green algal oligosaccharides emerge as an innovative response to reduce chemical use while maintaining disease control effectiveness. With dual action mechanisms, these molecules not only activate plants' natural defenses but also directly inhibit pathogens, as evidenced by their success in controlling tea anthracnose, citrus canker, and grape downy mildew.

Biosolutions and Seeds: Syngenta Reports 2% Growth in Q1 2026

In the first quarter of 2026, Syngenta Group reported sales of $6.4 billion, reflecting a 2% increase compared to the previous year. The Crop Protection division achieved sales of $3.5 billion, driven by strong demand for biological products, while the Seeds division experienced significant growth, particularly in Latin America.

Biopesticides: Eden Research Accelerates Commercialization Between Europe and the U.S.

Eden Research plc, a major player in the field of sustainable biopesticides, has announced financial results in line with market expectations for the period ending March 31, 2026, with projected revenues of £4.9 million. The company has also secured crucial regulatory approvals for its products, including Mevalone in California and France, and has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Syngenta, thereby expanding its market.

Biofungicides: Up to 65% Less CO₂ Compared to Chemical Solutions, Says Bureau Veritas

A comparative assessment shows that biological solutions are gaining strategic relevance, offering agronomic performance comparable to chemical products while enhancing soil health. Bureau Veritas's study reveals that biological fungicides, such as Biotrop's Bombardeiro, emit up to 65% less CO₂ than conventional chemical fungicides.

Post-Harvest: AgroFresh Strengthens R&D in Asia to Reduce Fresh Fruit Waste

AgroFresh Solutions Inc. has recently opened a research and development center in Yangling, China, an agricultural innovation hub. This center focuses on post-harvest preservation technologies and digital tools to enhance the quality of fresh produce and minimize waste. By targeting key regional crops, including apples and kiwis, AgroFresh aims to provide tailored solutions for the Asia-Pacific markets.

Bayer and IITA Join Forces to Develop Climate-Resilient Varieties in Sub-Saharan Africa

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Bayer announce an ambitious research partnership aimed at revolutionizing agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. This project, extending until 2028, seeks to develop crop varieties suited for smallholder farmers by integrating advanced technologies such as genomic editing and molecular selection.

Biostimulants: Seipasa's Kynetic4® Approved by European Regulations

Seipasa, a Spanish company specializing in biotechnological solutions for agriculture, has recently obtained European certification for its biostimulant Kynetic4®. Classified as a non-microbial biostimulant under regulation (EU) 2019/1009, Kynetic4® is designed to optimize plant flowering and enhance their metabolism, while increasing their resistance to adverse environmental conditions.

Phosphorus Optimization and Climate Stress: Agricells Launches Biostimulants in the U.S.

Agricells, an innovative player in the biostimulant sector, announces its establishment in the United States, a strategic agricultural market. In the face of a nutrient availability paradox, particularly phosphorus, the company offers solutions to optimize crop yields. Agricells' biostimulants mobilize nutrients present in the soil, increasing yields by 10 to 17% in certain crops.

Fermeate Raises $2 Million to Transform Industrial Fermentation with Optogenetics

Fermeate, an industrial biotechnology company, has announced the closing of a $2 million funding round to develop an optogenetic control platform. This innovative technology, which uses light to modulate gene expression in microbes, enhances yields by 60% to 300%.

Pivot Bio Invests $7 Million in Two Centers of Excellence to Secure Biological Nitrogen in the U.S.

Pivot Bio announces a strategic investment of over $7 million to establish two new centers of excellence in St. Louis, thereby strengthening its biological nitrogen production amid fertilizer market volatility. The Hazelwood center will focus on manufacturing and distribution, while the Creve Coeur center will dedicate itself to research and development of crop nutrition technologies.