Bayer announced this week that it has opened a state-of-the-art seed processing facility in Pochuiky in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine. The new facility is the largest of its kind in Ukraine and one of the largest in Europe. Investment in the new plant amounts to $200 million and is part of a long-term investment into expanding the DEKALB corn seed processing in Ukraine.

The facility will feature two dryers and a logistics center and will begin operations to support customer demand for high-quality corn seed in Ukraine in time for the 2019 planting season. It will process around 750,000 units of seed annually to supply 2,500 Ukrainian farmers with DEKALB corn seed developed using traditional breeding techniques, with further expansion planned to support international markets.

“This investment demonstrates Bayer’s strong commitment to Ukraine. With more than 25 years of successful history in Ukraine, we have always been a key player in developing the country’s agricultural sector,” said Dr. Dirk Backhaus, member of the executive leadership team of the Crop Science Division responsible for product supply. “Bayer will continue working with farmers in Ukraine and is also planning to export its high-quality corn seed to [European Union] states.”

The new Bayer seed processing facility will have around 85 permanent and 220 seasonal employees to support the processing, storage and timely distribution of corn seed.

“This facility is conveniently situated in one of Ukraine’s most productive agricultural regions, where many Ukrainian farmers plant their crops. Thanks to the team engagement, state-of-the-art technology and optimized logistics, we will be able to meet the ever-growing demand of Ukrainian farmers for superior-quality corn seed,” Remi Deï-Tos, Bayer site lead in Ukraine, noted.