Biotech Updates

Monsanto Acquires Seed Companies

June 20, 2008

Monsanto Company says that it has completed the acquisition of De Ruiter Seeds Group B.V., the Netherlands-based company that owns and operates De Ruiter Seeds, for Euro 546 million (US $850 million) less net debt. The company announced in April its plan to acquire the Dutch holding corporation. Monsanto's vegetable seeds business is now divided into three units: De Ruiter Seeds serving the protected-culture (greenhouse) market, Seminis aimed at open-field agriculture and International Seed Group, Inc., which is a holding company for regional seed businesses. The protected-culture segment is the fastest growing space within the vegetable seeds industry.

The press release is available at http://monsanto.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=611

Meanwhile, Monsanto Company will acquire Marmot, S.A. which operates Semillas Cristiani Burkard (SCB), a privately-held seed company in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Once completed, farmers in Central American countries will have access to corn seed varieties from Monsanto.

See Monsanto's press release at http://monsanto.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=615