KWS VIBE CONFIRMED AS A FULL GROUP 1 VARIETY
UK Flour Millers has announced that the KWS winter wheat variety "KWS Vibe" is confirmed as a full UKFM Group 1 variety, upgrading its provisional rating from 2024
The UK Flour Millers Varieties Working Group (VWG), comprised of representatives from the largest flour milling businesses in the United Kingdom (UK), met in early March 2025 to discuss the wheat, milling, and baking quality data of KWS Vibe from 2024 crop samples, as well as assessments from the previous three years of testing. Following a consensus agreement, the group has exercised its sole right to assign the industry-recognised UFKM group rating.
UK Flour Millers' head of technical and regulatory affairs, Joe Brennan said:
"Group 1 winter varieties are the backbone of UK milling wheat demand and are defined by good breadmaking quality that is stable across seasons. Our assessments have found that KWS Vibe fully meets these essential criteria. Over the three years of testing, it has showed high protein and a strong, consistent breadmaking quality."
This variety follows hot on the heels of SY Cheer, a winter wheat whose full Group 1 rating was confirmed in September 2024. For millers, the change in pace is welcome, as prior to this no new Group 1 winter wheats had joined the Recommended List (RL) since KWS Zyatt in 2017.
Mr Brennan added:
"In recent years we’ve seen the popularity of Group 1 wheats decline significantly, with projections for 2025 indicating this trend will continue. This has contributed to a deficit in supply of homegrown breadmaking wheat, with millers having to use more imported wheat to meet the steady demand for our flour. We hope new Group 1 varieties can help reverse this trend and expect that KWS Vibe will appeal to farmers given its strong agronomic package."
About UK Flour Millers:
UK Flour Millers is the trade association representing the UK flour milling industry. There are 32 member companies operating 51 flour mills. Millers use 5 million tonnes of wheat to make 4 million tonnes of flour each year. In a typical year, 80-85% of the wheat used by UK millers is homegrown and all will be assured under either Red Tractor or Scottish Quality Crops schemes.
Notes to readers:
UK flour is an ingredient in 30% of food products and provides approximately 20% of the nation’s food energy requirements, playing a critical role in domestic food security. This information and other relevant facts can be found on UK Flour Millers' "About Us" page.
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