New Food Conference 2026: strengthening protein value chains
More than 260 participants from 17 countries met in Berlin to discuss the future of alternative proteins. Donau Soja’s Karin Geppl joined the conference and brought back a clear message: stronger protein value chains need reliable market prospects for farmers, dependable supply for food businesses and products that meet consumers’ needs for affordability, convenience, nutrition and clarity.
The discussions also underlined the importance of connecting agricultural production with market demand. This is central to Donau Soja’s work to support a resilient European protein supply. Thank you to ProVeg for bringing the sector together!
Image credit: ProVeg International / Astrid Behrendt Photography / Matthias Schillig
Field day tackles an extreme season
On 28 August, the “Agropuzzles – Field Without Filters” field day brought together more than 700 participants in Hai-Sukhodilskyi, Lviv region in Ukraine. Organised by Zakhidnyi Buh, a Donau Soja member, the event focused on an extreme season for sugar beet, maize and soybeans.
At the demonstration site, participants compared hundreds of plots, spoke directly with producers and explored practical ways to work in challenging seasonal conditions.
Volodymyr Puhachov, Executive Director for Eastern Europe at Donau Soja, joined the event to discuss recent developments in Ukraine’s non-GMO legislation. The new rules will require a more systematic approach to documentation, raw material control, traceability and verification of non-GMO status.
Thank you to Zakhidnyi Buh and everyone who took part. The field day offered a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange experience and discuss practical solutions.
Webinar explores non-GM opportunities for Ukrainian processors
On 28 August, the Donau Soja hosted a webinar for Ukrainian soybean processors titled “Non-GMO as a competitive advantage: opportunities for Ukrainian processors in the EU market”.
The session brought processors together for an in-depth discussion of issues relevant to their work. Participants discussed changes under Ukraine’s non-GMO legislation, which came into force on 16 September, and explored potential opportunities for processors working with non-GM soybeans. They also reviewed the Donau Soja Standard, focusing on sampling procedures and the importance of carrying them out correctly.
Donau Soja member Cotecna Ukraine Limited joined the webinar and presented on GMO control and laboratory testing to detect GMOs. About 30 people attended. We thank Cotecna Ukraine Limited for its contribution and all participants for their active engagement and practical discussion.
Moldova-China Forum on Black Soil Farming
On 1st of September 2026, Donau Soja participated as a speaker during the Moldova-China Forum on Black Soil Farming, organised by the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, the World Molisol Association, the National Center for Seed Research and Production, and the Institute of Geography and Agroecology of Northeast China. The event served as a platform for sharing experiences and presenting the latest scientific findings on soil fertility, soil degradation and protection, conservation and regenerative agriculture, as well as crop improvement.
Donau Soja presented information regarding the collaboration between the organisation and Chinese stakeholders, as well as updates on the local soybean sector and importance of sustainable agriculture during the session on crop breeding and productivity. The forum also included visits to local demo fields on 2nd of September, including Donau Soja soybean demo platform, allowing for exchange between local and Chinese researchers, comparing cultivation technologies, results and sharing recommendations.
The Forum on Agriculture aimed to strengthen cooperation between the scientific communities of the Republic of Moldova and China in a field of strategic importance to both countries.
