About Laboulet

Our History

Laboulet is one of France’s longest-standing seed companies, founded in 1885 in Airaines, Picardy. Originally focused on clover seed production, the company built its reputation on quality, reliability, and close collaboration with farmers. Over generations, Laboulet remained independent and family-run, keeping a pragmatic, field-driven approach.

Evolution of Our Expertise

From clover, Laboulet progressively expanded into oil crops during the late 20th century. The linseed (oil flax) programme launched in the 1990s became a historical milestone. The company then initiated its own corn breeding programme in 1996 and launched a full sunflower hybrid programme in 2006.

• Ultra-early and early corn hybrids
• High-oil and high-oleic sunflower hybrids
• Oil flax (linseed) varieties
• Rapeseed and specialty oil crops

What We Do Today

1. Breeding & Genetics

Our research teams develop new hybrids and varieties across sunflower, corn, linseed, rapeseed, peas and other oil crops. We prioritize earliness, yield stability, oil content, resilience and quality traits.

2. Seed Production & Processing

Seeds are produced with partner farmers in northern France. They undergo cleaning, grading and strict quality control to meet demanding industrial and agricultural standards.

3. Marketing & Technical Support

We provide contract-based supply for distributors and industrial partners, backed by technical advice and agronomic support worldwide.

Research, Innovation & Partnerships

Laboulet actively participates in European research initiatives and contributes to discussions on variety registration policies. Our genetics have been used in academic and industrial research projects, including transcriptomic studies on stress resilience in sunflower.

In linseed breeding, Laboulet is recognized as one of Europe’s major players, with multiple flagship winter linseed varieties distributed through international partners.

Our Commitments

For Farmers

Deliver reliable, predictable and profitable varieties adapted to real field conditions.

For Industry

Provide tailored genetics with specific oil profiles and processing characteristics to meet the needs of food, feed, and industrial sectors.

For the Environment

Improve sustainability through earliness, stress tolerance, disease resistance and varieties requiring fewer inputs.

Where We Are

Laboulet is based in Airaines, Somme (Picardy, northern France), a historical seed production region. Our seeds and genetics are distributed across Europe and beyond through a trusted network of partners.

The Road Ahead

Remaining fully independent and family-driven, Laboulet continues to focus on what matters: creating robust, efficient genetics for farmers and industries, while building long-term partnerships with uncompromising quality and innovation.