Protealis expands soybean breeding pipeline through University of Guelph collaboration

Protealis, a Belgium-based developer of non-GMO legume seeds, has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with the University of Guelph in Canada to access soybean genetics from the university’s breeding program.

The agreement grants Protealis global rights to test, select and commercialize soybean varieties developed at the University of Guelph. The collaboration adds later-maturity soybean genetics and food-grade quality traits to Protealis’ existing portfolio, which has so far focused on early-maturing varieties adapted to cooler European climates.

The additional genetics will allow Protealis to expand breeding efforts into warmer European growing zones, broadening its addressable market as demand for locally produced, non-GMO protein crops increases. Europe currently imports more than 34 million tonnes of soybeans annually, primarily from Brazil, Argentina and the US.

The University of Guelph is a major agricultural research institution with a long-standing soybean breeding program. Canada produces approximately 7.6 million metric tonnes of soybeans per year and has invested in soybean genetics for several decades through public research and commercial partnerships.

Protealis currently markets nine early-maturity soybean varieties registered in Belgium, France, Germany and Ukraine. Ukraine has emerged as a key growth market for soybeans, with acreage projected at 2.3–2.4 million hectares and production forecast at up to 5.8 million tonnes in 2025.

In addition to soybeans, Protealis is developing yellow pea varieties as part of its broader legume breeding pipeline. The company operates from Ghent, Belgium, and focuses on crop genetics designed for European soil and climate conditions.

The collaboration reflects ongoing efforts by European seed developers to expand access to established North American breeding programs as climate variability and protein crop demand reshape regional production strategies.