Oxnard, California
December 18, 2002

Seminis, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMNS), the world's largest developer, producer and marketer of vegetable and fruit seeds, today formed a special committee consisting of the independent directors in response to the proposed transaction announced by Savia, S.A. de C.V., Seminis' majority stockholder, and Fox Paine & Company, LLC. Under the proposed transaction, Fox Paine and certain Savia related parties will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Seminis. The special committee has been empowered to evaluate the proposed transaction and its fairness and will make a recommendation to the full Board of Directors.

Seminis Inc. is the largest developer, producer and marketer of vegetable seeds in the world. The company uses seeds as the delivery vehicle for innovative agricultural technology. Its products are designed to reduce the need for agricultural chemicals, increase crop yield, reduce spoilage, offer longer shelf life, create better tasting foods and foods with better nutritional content. Seminis has established a worldwide presence and global distribution network that spans 150 countries and territories.