Dear readers,

Recent developments and the news we hear every day from Ukraine are saddening, horrifying and disquieting for all of us. KWS condemns any use of military force. Our top priority is to make sure our Ukrainian colleagues and their families are safe, and we are doing all we can to help them in this life-threatening situation.

We have already adopted a number of measures as part of that. They include ensuring that communication channels remain open, offers of accommodation at safe locations, and financial support. We are in close contact with our colleagues in the affected regions so that we can help them as best possible in these circumstances. All employees in Ukraine have been notified that they do not have to go to work if that involves danger. Work processes have therefore been suspended for the most part.

A ray of hope in this difficult time is the overwhelming spirit of togetherness, the desire to help and solidarity among our global KWS family. The Risk Management team, which is coordinating our colleagues’ support for Ukraine, is receiving offers to help from many countries. Many of our staff and their families from Ukraine have already found somewhere to stay with friends and colleagues outside the country. The “Zuckerhaus,” KWS’ vacation home in Bad Grund, is now putting up families of our Ukrainian colleagues. If you would also like to help, please send an e-mail to riskmanagement@kws.com.

KWS has deep and extensive ties with Ukraine – the company inaugurated its first site abroad in Winniza in 1900. KWS now has employees and locations both in Ukraine and Russia, where it mainly breeds, produces and distributes corn, cereal and sugarbeet seed.

On top of the sanctions imposed on Russia by the international community, many companies have decided to suspend their activities in that country. A question that is frequently asked is why KWS is not halting its breeding, production and distribution operations in Russia. KWS’ stance is as follows: We are abiding by the clear policies of the United Nations, which state that vital goods are excluded from sanctions. Apart from food, water and medical supplies, those goods also include seed. After all, seed is the basis for all our food and for farmers’ livelihoods. Given its responsibility as a plant breeding company, KWS will continue its activities in Russia and keep on supplying seed there until further notice.

In view of the unclear and dynamic situation in Ukraine, we have decided not to report on what is currently happening there in this issue of insideKWS. Instead, you will find as usual articles from the global world of KWS showing how our colleagues continue to ensure in these challenging times that KWS is able to breed plants, produce seed and offer farmers high-performance varieties. That is our contribution to maintaining sustainable, forward-looking agriculture and a reliable supply of food for people.

Our thoughts in this time are with the people in Ukraine, who are demonstrating such great commitment for their country and the cause of freedom in such terrifying circumstances.