Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Welcome to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Way up north, in the permafrost, 1300 kilometers beyond the Arctic Circle, is the world's largest secure seed storage, opened by the Norwegian Government in February 2008. From all across the globe, crates of seeds are sent here for safe and secure long-term storage in cold and dry rock vaults.
A global backstop
The vault hold the seeds of many tens of thousands of varieties of essential food crops such as beans, wheat and rice. These seed samples are duplicates of seed sample stores in national, regional and international gene banks.
Seeds remain depositors' property
The Seed Bank was established and is fully funded by the Norwegian government, with the responsibility for operations assigned to The Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The Ministry coordinates daily operation with the Nordic Gene Resource Centre and the Global Crop Diversity Trust, and receives guidance from a dedicated international council established to advise the Seed Bank.
Video - Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Way up north, in the permafrost, 1300 kilometers beyond the Arctic Circle, is the world's largest secure seed storage. A video produced by the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food tells the story about the Vault.
Current
Largest deposit of seed to date in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault
In February, around 14,000 seeds are being deposited in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. The seed vault now has more than 1.2 million seed duplicates from about 80 countries.
Ghana genebank becomes the 100th depositor to Svalbard Global Seed Vault
The deposit of new seeds from the Ghana genebank is an important step towards ensuring the long-term protection of the country’s major food crops.
Latest news
- New Seeds in Svalbard Global Seed Vault News story 28/05/2024
- Largest deposit of seed to date in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault News story 28/02/2024
- Crop Diversity for a Healthy Planet and those who live on it Speech/statement 19/01/2024
- Ghana genebank becomes the 100th depositor to Svalbard Global Seed Vault News story 25/10/2023
- FAO Conference 43rd Session Speech/statement 06/07/2023