Seminis — the world’s largest researcher, developer and producer of improved vegetable seed — has acquired the vegetable seed component of Brazil-based Agroceres from a division of Monsanto.

Through the investment in Brazil, the company also plans to enhance product development by integrating its strong research capabilities with those of Agroceres, whose breeders specialize in varieties developed for tropical and subtropical environments. The combination "will, without a doubt, benefit the farmer who requires high quality, advanced technology products," says Martinho Alencar, general manager of Seminis Brazil SVS Ltd., the company’s Brazilian subsidiary. In addition, the acquisition enables Seminis to increase production capacity while diversifying growing areas in South America.

"Through Agroceres, Seminis will now be able to offer growers a more complete line of products adapted to the climate of the region," Alencar adds.

With the Agroceres acquisition, Seminis also furthers its goal of meeting end user needs by providing growers with products that offer superior quality and health attributes, especially enhanced nutritional value, a trait that is increasingly important to consumers, says Alencar.

As part of the agreement, Seminis will market vegetable seed under the name Agroceres for a limited period of time. Seminis will also concurrently introduce the brand Horticeres, a trademarked name used in the past by Agroceres and acquired by Seminis in the transaction. The Agroceres Grains Seed Division will remain with Monsanto. With the acquisition, Seminis gains approximately 160 Agroceres employees, as well as two research stations and three seed production units.

The Agroceres acquisition is the latest in a series of strategic transactions the company has completed, including recent major investments in Korea, India, and the U.S.