A challenging market environment had an impact on the sales revenue and earnings of Deutsche Saatveredelung AG (DSV) in the 2024/25 financial year. The DSV Group generated sales of EUR 248.9 million and EBT of EUR 6.4 million. A dividend of EUR 0.05 per share was approved. 

"As expected, the 2024/25 financial year was once again challenging marked by ups and downs. On the one hand, we exceeded revenue expectations, but the difficult market environment, particularly in the grass segment, had an impact on earnings”, says Clive Krückemeyer*, member of the DSV Executive Board. "Overall, the grass market was once again characterised by inventory

reductions with steep price discounts – the market price level for grasses fell again compared to that of the previous year. In the oilseed rape segment, we were once more able to realise very positive sales in Ukraine, Belarus and also in South America. The cereal segment achieved a positive development as well. Once again, we were the market leader for winter barley line varieties in Germany with the variety JULIA", says Dr Eike Hupe**, member of the DSV Executive Board.

Business development

In the 2024/25 financial year, sales revenue for the German parent company amounted to EUR 196.8 million (previous year: EUR 206.7 million) and EUR 248.9 million for the DSV Group (previous year: EUR 253.0 million). Earnings before taxes (EBT) of the German parent company amounted to EUR 1.5 million (previous year: EUR 11.3 million) and EUR 6.4 million for the DSV Group (previous year: EUR 11.1 million).

The total investment volume amounted to EUR 5.0 million (previous year: EUR 7.9 million). Investment focused on modernising the agricultural machinery, buildings and technical infrastructure.

Review of the 2024/25 financial year

The cultivation area of winter oilseed rape in Europe remained relatively stable in 2024 compared with the previous year. Rapool-Ring GmbH was able to maintain its market leadership in the important German market again. Overall, despite very positive business in Ukraine, Belarus and in South America, the high sales of previous years could not be repeated – geopolitical developments in connection with Russia's war had a significant impact on sales in the oilseed rape segment. 

Once again, the grass market was dominated by the oversupply of grass seed, combined with high price pressure – the market challenges were enormous. Repeatedly, careful inventory and cost management were important factors for DSV's grass business in 2024/25. 

However, the DSV cereal segment continued its positive development. In Germany once more, DSV's share of winter wheat multiplication areas increased significantly on the strong varieties EXSAL, POLARKAP and CHAMPION. Furthermore, there was an increase in winter barley multiplication areas for DSV thanks to the varieties JULIA and FASCINATION. DSV also occupied the top positions in winter barley multiplication for the harvest 2024: JULIA was once again the strongest winter barley variety in Germany. 

As predicted, the maize business declined due to reduced cultivation areas – but still exceeded the expectations.

Outlook for the 2025/26 financial year

"For the 2025/26 financial year, we expect the market environment to remain uncertain. Although market dynamics for grasses are gradually improving, prices are likely to remain low for the time being", says Dr Eike Hupe. "For our cereal segment we expect to continue performing well, including international markets. This is confirmed, for example, by the registration of the varieties KAKTUS and KARDIGAN in France in the winter of 2024/25. Another opportunity and expression of the innovative strength of our oilseed rape breeding is the market viability of the so-called 'RUNNER' types. We are starting to commercialise the first varieties in Hungary and South America." These 'RUNNER' types are the result of a selective crossbreeding between winter and summer oilseed rape. They have a lower vernalisation requirement and mature significantly earlier. In regions with mild winters and pre-summer heat and drought, such varieties can achieve yield advantages. 

"In addition to our ongoing operational business, we will drive forward targeted strategic initiatives in the coming year to ensure sustainable growth and our long-term innovative capacity. Our new ERP system will make internal processes more efficient and faster – implementation will start in the 2025/26 financial year", says Clive Krückemeyer. 

"The planned construction of our new breeding station in Wardington (United Kingdom) will make our cereal breeding even more sustainable, and further expansion of our breeding station in Thüle will strengthen the DSV Competence Centre for oilseed rape", concludes the Executive Board.

Deutsche Saatveredelung AG (DSV)

DSV is a traditional plant breeding and seed company with its headquarters in Lippstadt, Germany. Research, breeding, production and distribution of various crops are the focus of the company, whose roots go back for more than 100 years. Around 500 employees work for the company in Germany. The Group employs about 770 people. DSV has significant shareholdings in well-known companies in the seed industry in Germany and abroad, and has wholly owned subsidiaries in Argentina, Canada, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Poland and Ukraine.

The following companies belong to the DSV Group and are included in full in the consolidated financial statements: 

• Deutsche Saatveredelung AG, Lippstadt (parent company)
• DSV France S.a.r.l., Terminiers/France
• DSV Frø Danmark A/S, Holstebro/Denmark
• DSV Polska Sp. z o.o., Wagrowiec/Poland
• DSV United Kingdom Ltd., Wardington/Great Britain
• TOV “DSV-Ukraina”, Kiev/Ukraine
• DSV zaden Nederland B.V., Ven Zelderheide/Netherlands
• DSV Northstar Ltd., Neepawa/Canada

In addition, DL Seeds Inc., Stanley/Canada, is included in the consolidated financial statements on a pro rata basis.

*Clive Krückemeyer, Member of the Executive Board of DSV responsible for Controlling, Finance, HR, Operations, Supply Chain Management, and IT

**Dr Eike Hupe, Member of the Executive Board of DSV responsible for Sales, Customer Service, Product Management & Marketing and Breeding

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