New varieties in the Commercial Registry 2026: what seed producers must update

Key data

Twelve new agricultural varieties can be legally commercialized in Spain from September 4, 2026. The Order APA/922/2026, published in the BOE on September 3, expands the Commercial Varieties Registry with 11 commercial-type varieties and 1 conservation variety, covering five different species: lentil, pepper, cabbage, tomato and common vetch, in addition to kale.

For the seed sector, this means an immediate window of opportunity: any company that produces or distributes seeds of these varieties can incorporate them into its commercial offer from that date, provided it updates its catalog in accordance with current regulations.

What does this regulation establish?

Order APA/922/2026 incorporates a total of 12 varieties of agricultural species into the Commercial Varieties Registry. The registry is the legal instrument that enables the commercialization of seeds in Spain: a variety not registered cannot be legally sold in the national market.

The complete detail of the registered varieties is as follows:

The distinction between commercial variety and conservation variety is operationally relevant: conservation varieties, such as kale RIZA GALEGA, are subject to specific production and commercialization conditions aimed at preserving agricultural biodiversity, with restrictions on volume and geographic sales area that do not apply to standard commercial varieties.

The registration procedure is governed by Royal Decree 170/2011 and the specific technical regulations for each species.

Economic and operational impact

This order does not impose direct costs or new sanctions. Its impact is mainly operational and commercial: it opens the possibility of legally commercializing seeds of 12 new varieties that could not previously be sold in Spain.

The concrete effects for companies in the sector are:

• Immediate commercial opportunity: Companies that already produce or have stock of these varieties can begin their commercialization from September 4, 2026 without additional procedures, provided they comply with the remaining labeling and traceability requirements.
• Catalog updates: Distributors and marketers must review and update their seed catalogs to reflect the legal availability of these varieties.
• Conservation variety RIZA GALEGA: Its registration as a conservation variety implies specific production and commercialization conditions. Interested companies must verify the applicable volume limits and geographic area before including it in their offer.
• Risk from omission: Commercializing seeds of varieties not registered in the Commercial Registry constitutes an administrative infraction. The registration of these 12 varieties eliminates that risk for those who work with them.

Who does it affect?

• Seed producers of lentil, pepper, cabbage, tomato, common vetch and kale in Spain.
• Marketers and distributors of agricultural seeds operating in the national market.
• Agricultural cooperatives that manage seeds of these species for their members.
• Nurseries and horticulture companies that work with pepper, tomato or cabbage varieties.
• Plant breeding companies that have developed or have rights over any of the registered varieties.
• Agricultural advisors and technicians who guide farmers on varieties available in the market.

Practical example

A Spanish seed company that has been producing the lentil variety LENTILLANA for two seasons could not legally commercialize it until now because it was not registered in the Commercial Varieties Registry. From September 4, 2026, with the entry into force of Order APA/922/2026, it can include it in its commercial catalog, issue sales invoices and distribute it to farmers and cooperatives throughout the national territory without risk of administrative infraction.

The immediate step for this company is to update its official catalog, verify that the labeling of the packages complies with current seed regulations and communicate the news to its distribution network.

In the case of kale RIZA GALEGA, registered as a conservation variety, the interested company must also verify the production volume limits and the authorized geographic area of origin before launching its offer to the market.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if you work with any of the 12 registered varieties (LENTILLANA, the 5 peppers, the cabbage, the 3 tomatoes, the common vetch and RIZA GALEGA). If so, commercialization is already legal from September 4, 2026.
2. Update the commercial catalog to include the applicable varieties, with reference to the Commercial Varieties Registry as required by seed regulations.
3. Review package labeling to ensure it complies with the technical requirements for identification of registered variety.
4. For RIZA GALEGA (conservation variety): consult the specific production and commercialization conditions before including it in the offer, especially the volume limits and authorized geographic area.
5. Communicate to the distribution network and clients the legal availability of these new varieties to activate demand as soon as possible.
6. Review the full text of Order APA/922/2026 in the BOE to confirm the exact names of all pepper, cabbage, tomato and common vetch varieties registered, as the official summary does not detail all individual names.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is purely informative in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-18569