Seed quality analysis: the latest reports published

The reports summarize all quality criteria (oil, water, and protein content, visual appearance, etc.) and allow for the observation of trends in seed quality. The observatory’s work is carried out in collaboration with storage organizations that provide samples to Terres Inovia.

The seed quality reports are available on the Terres Univia and Terres Inovia websites.

With French field pea production projected to rise by 34% by 2025, analyses of seed samples have revealed a protein content higher than the average for the past ten years, at 28.4% of dry matter. The batches received also exhibit good visual quality, and the majority contain less than 1% damaged seeds. 

Batch analyses revealed an impurity rate of 1.3%, up from 2024, due to difficulties in controlling weeds on certain plots and a delay in harvesting. The 2025 harvest also shows a relatively low protein content of 39.8%. This can be explained by the intense heat in May and June, which limited nodule development and reduced branching and fertilization in the soybeans. 

The harvest was notable for the high quality of the seeds across all regions. The samples analyzed show an average moisture content of 12.5% for 2025, down from 2024. The batches also have an average protein content of 22.3%, which is fairly consistent with the past five years. The analyses also revealed an average thousand-kernel weight (TKW) of 301 g, similar to 2024, with variations across different regions. The 2025 harvest also demonstrated very good visual quality: only the impurity rate has increased compared to 2024.

The 2025 lentil harvest was characterized by a moisture content below standard levels, at 11.8%—the lowest value recorded since quality surveys for lentils began in 2021. The protein content is high at 29.9% of dry matter, close to the levels observed in 2022 (30.8%). Another positive point: the lentil seeds exhibit very good visual quality. The harvest was nevertheless characterized by a high percentage of broken seeds. 

Analysis of sunflower seeds from the 2025 harvest shows an average moisture content of 7.4%, close to the five-year average (7.5%). The average oil content stands at 45.3%, an increase of 0.6 percentage points compared to 2024 and the five-year average (44.7%). Furthermore, the average protein content is also up compared to 2024. Harvest conditions, which were generally similar across the country, resulted in consistent moisture levels across regions, with 85% of samples meeting standards. 

The new editions of the quality specifications for lentil and chickpea seeds were co-funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-Food, and Food Sovereignty as part of the Cap Protéines+ program. All seed quality specifications are funded or co-funded by interprofessional contributions (CVO) from the vegetable oils and proteins sector.