A true sensation in the produce world: Ukrainian farmers have harvested the first-ever red-and-black sweet corn, a unique hybrid developed by the seed company MNAGOR in Vinnytsia. Marketed under the name "Bordo", this super-sweet variety (Sh2 type) combines striking appearance with resilience, and is already attracting international interest.
© Mnagor
The first seeds became commercially available in 2025, and Ukrainian growers were quick to plant the novelty. According to MNAGOR founder and renowned breeder Mykhailo Nahorniak, the development took years of patient selection. The prototype was first introduced in 2019, but large-scale production was delayed by the war. Work resumed in 2024, and this season, farmers are finally cultivating "Bordo" in Ukrainian fields.
What makes the variety truly exceptional is its deep red-to-black kernels, enriched with anthocyanins. These natural pigments not only give the cobs their dramatic color but also improve tolerance to drought, soil salinity, and temperature stress; an important advantage in today's changing climate.
Interest in "Bordo" quickly spread beyond Ukraine. German seed expert Rupert Lindelmaier, who has travelled to more than 130 countries in search of red super-sweet corn, confirmed at the Re-Farm 2025 conference in Lviv that no such variety exists elsewhere. He secured a small trial batch for German growers, but demand far exceeds supply. "Bordo" seeds remain limited, with priority given to Ukrainian farmers.
Early feedback has been enthusiastic. Farmers report strong consumer reactions at local markets: shoppers are drawn by the unusual color, take photos, and return for repeat purchases. Some describe the variety as "a magnet for customers" and even "a work of art." Food processors and restaurants have also taken an interest. Two factories in western Ukraine are testing "Bordo" for canning and freezing, while several restaurants plan to feature it as a culinary highlight.
MNAGOR previously introduced other bicolor sweet corn hybrids such as "Vyshyvanka" (blue-yellow kernels) and "Ukrainian Bicolor."
Source: www.seeds.org.ua