Monsanto to Invest in International Fruit and Vegetable Seed Companies

Monsanto Company recently announced the formation of the International Seed Group, Inc. (ISG), a holding company to invest in vegetable and fruit seed businesses with capital and technology investments. The cornerstone of the venture is Holland-based Western Seed, which specializes in tomato hybrids as well as other vegetable and fruit crops. ISG also acquired Poloni Semences, a melon breeding company based in France. Seed industry veterans Anthony Padgett and David Atkinson are under contract to manage ISG, while Western Seed and Poloni Semences continue to operate under the direction of their current management.

"ISG will complement our Seminis business," noted Kerry Preete, who leads Monsanto's vegetable seed division, which includes Seminis and the new holding company. "By acquiring Western and Poloni, we improve our position in greenhouse tomato and pepper production and enter the high-value European melon market.”

Readers can access the press release at http://monsanto.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=490.