Oxnard, California
December 11, 2000

Seminis Inc., the largest developer, producer and marketer of vegetable and fruit seeds in the world, announced today a series of key additions and changes to strengthen the Company's management team and to support the implementation of the global restructuring plan. The new team will report directly to Eugenio Najera, Seminis' Chief Operating Officer, and is comprised of seasoned executives with expertise in financial management and agribusiness.

The objective of the new organization is to clearly define and focus management responsibility and accountability in the Commercial, Financial, Operations and R&D areas, and to enhance the Company's Information Technology and Strategic Support to strengthen the Company's operations. The role of the management in the Commercial area has been redefined to focus total attention on Sales and Customer Service.

Two new departments were created and report directly to Mr. Najera: Information Technology, headed by Allen Karlin, Senior Director; and Strategic Support, headed by Oscar Velasco, Senior Vice President, a department devoted to Logistics Control, Business Service Centers Administration and Quality Assurance.

Octavio Hernandez, Chief Financial Officer, will leave the Company to undertake new responsibilities at Seminis' parent company, Savia. While the Company embarks on its search for a new Chief Financial Officer, the financial management of the Company will be spearheaded by Gaspar Alvarez, Vice President and Corporate Controller, and Enrique Osorio, Vice President Treasury and Investor Relations. Both Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Osorio, formerly executives of Savia, have worked previously with Mr. Najera on financial and operating turnaround situations.

Bruno Ferrari has been appointed Executive Senior Vice President of the Company's European, Middle Eastern and African operations. Jordi Majo, who was previously responsible for these operations, will leave the company following a brief transition period. Dr. Ferrari will also maintain his current responsibilities as Senior Vice President of Legal and Human Resources.

The Company also announced that it has appointed the following individuals to further strengthen its commercial operations: Franco Campana, Vice President, North America; Patrick Wei, Vice President, Asia; and Jean-Pierre Posa, Vice President, South America and Australia. They all have extensive experience in the seed industry, with great knowledge of each of their markets and regions. Seminis will benefit from their vision and expertise. Other important members of the management team include Henk van Wielink, Senior Vice President, Operations, and Ed Green, Senior Vice President, Research & Development.

Seminis 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 is a majority-owned subsidiary of Savia, a Mexico-based conglomerate with leadership positions in financial services, packaging and fresh foods.

Company news release
N3183