Source: Valor Economico via Checkbiotech

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, the seed division of the US group DuPont, is reinforcing bets on the transgenic and soybeans areas in Brazil, where it has a 8% market share. This year Pioneer invested US$20mil in two new units, in order to double up its production capacity and prepare the launching of genetically modified varieties in both areas.

Roberto Rissi, director of the firm, believes that transgenic seeds will add value to producers and to the agriculture sector in general. Pioneer arrived in Brazil back in 1970, via a partnership with Proagro, controlled by the Grupo Gomes Filho, for corn seed production.

According to Rissi, revenues on that segment are increasing an average of 20% annually; performance that the firm intends to repeat on the soybeans segment. Last harvest, Pioneer sold its first transgenic seeds crop and installed unit at Planaltina (Distrito Federal), with capacity for 2mil sacks of 40 kg per year.

Part of the US$20mil resources invested this year went to construction of a research unit at Passo Fundo (Rio Grande do Sul). Currently, Pioneer boasts six corn research units - Rio Grande do Sul, Parana, Goias, Distrito Federal, Maranhao and Mato Grosso - two soybeans research unit - Distrito Federal and Mato Grosso - and other five plants - Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz do Sul (both at Rio Grande do Sul), Itumbiara and Formosa (Goias) and Planaltina - in Brazil. Over the last five year, the firm invested US$50mil, doubling its production capacity.

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