SUMMARY: Wheat is the world’s most widely grown crop, cultivated on over 215 million hectares and providing 20% of global protein and caloric intake (CIMMYT). However, global wheat production has declined in recent years due to climate stress and agronomic limitations. At the same time, nearly one-third of the global population remains food insecure, highlighting the urgent need for more resilient and productive cropping systems. One of the ways Corteva Agriscience is addressing this challenge is through its hybrid wheat program, which combines advanced breeding with scalable seed production. With a consistent double digit yield advantage over conventional varieties tested in R&D plots, hybrid wheat could potentially allow farmers to produce more on existing farmland- while improving resilience in drought conditions. By drawing on experience in hybrid corn and integrating digital tools and agronomic support, Corteva is working to deliver a hybrid wheat product to help farmers improve productivity and profitability. With a U.S. launch planned for 2027, hybrid wheat represents a critical step toward accelerating innovations to feed the world. 

As the most widely grown cereal crop, wheat provides 20% of global protein and caloric intake (CIMMYT) and is a dietary and cultural staple for billions, especially in regions like North Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. Yet, despite its importance, wheat has historically lagged behind other major crops like corn and rice in terms of genetic improvement and yield gains. This gap is due in part to the biological complexity of wheat: its polyploid genome, self-pollinating nature, and technical challenges of hybridization have made rapid genetic progress difficult.  As a result, wheat yields have plateaued in many regions, even as climate stress and agronomic limitations continue to hamper global production. 

One of the ways Corteva Agriscience is addressing this challenge is through its hybrid wheat program, which represents a major innovation in wheat breeding. Traditional wheat breeding relies on crossing and selecting lines over many generations, a process that is slow and limited in its ability to combine desirable traits. In contrast, hybrid wheat leverages the power of heterosis, or hybrid vigor, to deliver higher yields, improved resilience, and greater consistency. 

Corteva’s breakthrough in hybrid wheat combines advanced breeding with scalable seed production. Corteva’s approach simplifies seed production, accelerates genetic gain, and enables consistent seed production. In field trials and R&D plots, Corteva’s hybrid wheat consistently demonstrates a double digit yield advantage over conventional varieties. This means farmers could harvest more grain from the same acreage, helping to meet rising demand without expanding farmland. Hybrid wheat also shows improved resilience under drought conditions. 

Beyond the genetics, Corteva is drawing on its decades of experience in hybrid corn to support the launch of hybrid wheat. By integrating digital tools for greater precision, Corteva is providing farmers a way to maximize performance. Agronomic support, data-driven insights, and scalable seed production are all part of Corteva’s commitment to helping growers succeed. 

Through overcoming the biological and technical barriers to hybridization, Corteva is helping to unlock new potential in one of the world’s most important crops. With a U.S. launch planned for 2027, hybrid wheat represents a critical step toward accelerating innovations to feed the world. 

Return to the 2025 GAP Report^TM Partner Stories