Castilla-La Mancha holds a prominent position in Spain’s certified seed sector. In the 2024/2025 season, the region accounted for nearly 44,000 hectares devoted to certified seed production, representing 20.6% of the national total. Most of this land was used for cereals, particularly barley and wheat.
These figures underline the strategic importance of certified seed production for the region’s arable farming sector. Seed selection determines how each growing season begins and, when certified seed is used, provides assurance that the material meets requirements concerning varietal identity, purity, germination capacity, plant health and traceability.
Castilla-La Mancha’s Director-General for Agricultural and Livestock Management, Lydia Benítez, highlighted the significance of the sector during a visit to the facilities of Viveros y Semilleros de La Mancha (VYSMAN) in Cinco Casas, Ciudad Real.
Benítez stressed that seed is the first link in the agricultural production chain and a determining factor in the subsequent quality and competitiveness of crops.
Certified seed use reaches 47%
Consumption trends also show that certified seed is becoming increasingly widespread among farmers in Castilla-La Mancha. According to figures released by the regional government, the proportion of certified seed used in the region has risen from 18% to 47% over the past decade.
This increase represents a significant shift in a region with an extensive area devoted to cereals and other arable crops. Unlike farm-saved grain, certification enables farmers to know exactly which variety they are sowing and provides official guarantees regarding the characteristics of each seed lot.
Its value is not limited to the yield potential of a particular variety. Certified seed also facilitates the introduction of plant material selected for specific agronomic conditions, allowing farmers to make better-informed decisions regarding factors such as growing cycle, suitability for local conditions and tolerance to different types of stress.
Nearly 100 million kilograms marketed
The region’s importance extends beyond the area devoted to seed multiplication. The Government of Castilla-La Mancha estimates that almost 98.5 million kilograms of certified seed were marketed during the 2024/2025 season, accounting for approximately 18.6% of the Spanish total.
Statistics from Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on officially sealed seed of domestic origin also place Castilla-La Mancha among the country’s leading regions by volume. In the cereal category, the region recorded more than 83.8 million kilograms during the season, ranking behind only Castilla y León and ahead of Aragón.
Barley was particularly prominent within this category, with more than 39.1 million kilograms, followed by common wheat, at just over 24 million kilograms. Castilla-La Mancha also recorded 9.08 million kilograms of triticale. In addition, the region maintained a significant presence in grain legumes, particularly field peas, common vetch and bitter vetch.
Varietal innovation to meet farmers’ needs
The consolidation of this industry is closely linked to the selection and assessment of new varieties. VYSMAN allocates 20 hectares to cereal, legume and horticultural crop trials, where plant material is evaluated before being introduced to the market.
These trials make it possible to observe how varieties perform under real growing conditions and to assess their suitability for the needs of the region. Against a backdrop of climate variability, limited water availability and increasing pressure on production costs, genetic innovation is becoming ever more important for the agricultural sector.
Benítez emphasised that this work is essential to provide farmers with more competitive varieties that are better adapted to local conditions. Castilla-La Mancha’s combination of production area, marketing capacity and varietal research therefore reinforces its position within an industry that underpins a substantial share of Spain’s cereal production.
