Latest news with #Limagrain
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
ADQ mulls 35% stake in France's Limagrain Vegetable Seeds
Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding firm ADQ entered into exclusive discussions with Limagrain, an agricultural cooperative and international seed group, to acquire a 35% stake in Limagrain Vegetable Seeds (LVS). LVS and Silal, an ADQ portfolio company specializing in agri-food technology, plan to create a joint venture (JV) focused on desert-adapted vegetable genetics, according to a press release. The partnership aims to develop advanced genetic solutions that improve the resilience of vegetable crops to extreme environmental conditions, such as extreme heat, drought, and salinity. This aligns with the two entities' commitment to advancing solutions for sustainability and food security in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly across the Gulf. This marks ADQ's strategic entry into a vital segment of the food value chain, as the research and development partnership between Silal and LVS is expected to boost the UAE's national food security agenda. Mansour Al Mulla, Deputy Group CEO of ADQ, commented on the transaction: 'As part of our commitment to strengthening the UAE's economic resilience, expanding into the seeds segment represents a natural next step. It enables us to deepen our exposure to one of the most critical components of the food value chain.' 'By combining Silal's world-class infrastructure and innovation capabilities with the scientific excellence of LVS, we are well positioned to deliver seed innovation solutions that create commercial value while supporting the UAE's food security,' Al Mulla highlighted. Sébastien Chauffaut, CEO of Limagrain, said: 'ADQ's planned investment in our vegetable seeds business would provide important strategic support to strengthen our position as a global leader in the vegetable seed market and accelerate the development of climate-resilient crop varieties.' 'We are also excited about the potential to benefit from ADQ's reach into attractive markets, including but not limited to the MENA, as part of our ongoing global expansion,' Chauffaut added. Subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, the transaction will undergo the consultation process of LVS employees' representative bodies. Headquartered in France, LVS is the global leader in the vegetable seeds industry, with a strong legacy dating back to 1743. It operates 56 research centers across 20 countries, covering 43 of the world's 50 major vegetable crops. Its global manufacturing footprint includes eight facilities across six countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. LVS's seed portfolio includes global brands, such as Vilmorin, Mikado, Harris Moran, Clause, and Hazera, serving growers across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the MENA region. All Rights Reserved - Mubasher Info © 2005 - 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arabian Post
13 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
ADQ Stakes Ambition on Climate-Smart Vegetable Seeds
Abu Dhabi sovereign investor ADQ is negotiating the acquisition of a 35 percent stake in Limagrain's vegetable seeds unit, forging a strategic partnership focused on developing hard‑climate‑resilient crops. The envisioned alliance includes joint research and development initiatives in the UAE, designed to accelerate innovation in seeds tailored to extreme conditions. The proposed investment centres on Limagrain Vegetable Seeds, the vegetable‑seed division of France‑based cooperative Limagrain, a global market leader boasting €796 million in sales for the 2023–24 financial year. ADQ's entry through its agritech subsidiary Silal would create a joint venture operating from Al Ain's Innovation Oasis. The hub features facilities for controlled‑environment testing—greenhouses, growth chambers and seed‑testing labs. Under the agreement, the research partnership will focus on non‑GMO approaches such as gene editing and selective breeding to enhance vegetable species—tomatoes, cucumbers, melons—against heat, drought and salinity. ADQ has emphasised its role aligns with the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051, which aims to raise domestic food output to 50 percent of consumption. Currently, as much as 90 percent of the UAE's food is imported. ADVERTISEMENT Limagrain's CEO, Sébastien Chauffaut, described ADQ as 'a likeminded partner' sharing a long‑term commitment to sustainable investment and innovation. He noted the venture would both strengthen LVS's global leadership and increase access to Middle East and North Africa markets. For ADQ, the move represents a strategic expansion deeper into the food‑agriculture sector. Its track record includes a 45 percent stake in Louis Dreyfus Company, one of the world's largest crop merchants. Mansour Al Mulla, ADQ's Deputy CEO, emphasised that entering the seed space was a logical extension of its existing food‑chain investments, aligning with national economic resilience goals. Experts highlight seed innovation as a key lever in addressing climate volatility. Antonios Vouloudis of NYU Abu Dhabi notes that desert‑adapted seed development is crucial for expanding agriculture in arid zones, complementing controlled‑environment farming. Gene‑editing tools like CRISPR are identified as enablers of targeted improvements without introducing foreign genes—thus sidestepping GMO regulatory hurdles. The global market for climate‑smart seeds is expected to surpass US $15 billion by 2030, driven by rising demand in regions vulnerable to extreme climates. ADQ and Limagrain aim for the collaboration's scope to extend beyond the UAE, positioning their desert‑resilient seed offerings to agriculture sectors in Africa, southern Europe and Central America. Should the investment close—subject to regulatory clearance and employee consultations—ADQ would secure representation on LVS's board with a 35 percent equity share. Limagrain would retain management control while ADQ gains significant influence over strategic direction and R&D policy. Timeline projections from ADQ suggest a deal completion by year‑end, followed by breeding trials in controlled environments and field tests. Promising varieties are expected to reach commercial agriculture within one to two years. Initial testing will occur in Silal's Al Ain infrastructure, with farmer integration following proof‑of‑concept success. Limagrain brings to the table its extensive genetic‑improvement capabilities, spanning 56 research centres globally and support of 43 major vegetable crops. Brands under its umbrella include Vilmorin, Mikado, Harris Moran, Clause and Hazera, serving growers across Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. Water management poses another strategic focus. Agriculture uses about 60 percent of the UAE's water, with groundwater levels falling by around one metre yearly in some regions. Improved seed efficiency could reduce irrigation demand, increasing per‑hectare yields and lowering costs for consumers. However, success hinges on navigating regulatory environments, scaling technologies, and competing with global seed firms such as Bayer and Syngenta. Gene‑editing remains controversial in some regions, despite being distinct from GMO interventions. For ADQ, linking cutting‑edge agricultural tech with national food‑security objectives represents both economic foresight and a blueprint for global scalability. By combining genetic science from Limagrain with infrastructure and funding from the UAE, the partnership aspires to transform desert agriculture and reinforce food resilience in the face of climate pressures.
Zawya
13 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
ADQ to acquire a strategic stake in Limagrain Vegetable Seeds and launch joint R&D partnership in UAE
Contemplated investment is aligned with ADQ's commitment to building and scaling food security platforms that create value and advance national strategic priorities Supports the UAE's long-term food security objectives, including increasing domestic food production to 50 percent of total consumption and reducing dependence on imports As part of the contemplated transaction, LVS and Silal would establish a long-term research partnership to develop desert-adapted vegetable seeds Partnership would combine Silal's world-class infrastructure with LVS's scientific expertise Abu Dhabi, UAE – ADQ, an active sovereign investor with a focus on critical infrastructure and global supply chains, and Limagrain, an agricultural cooperative and international seed group, have entered into exclusive discussions for ADQ to acquire a 35 percent stake in Limagrain Vegetable Seeds (LVS), the vegetable seed division of Limagrain. Headquartered in France, LVS is the global leader in the vegetable seeds industry, with a strong legacy dating back to 1743. Renowned for its best-in-class R&D capabilities and consistent innovation, LVS operates 56 research centers across 20 countries and offers the most extensive product portfolio within the industry, covering 43 of the world's 50 major vegetable crops. Its global manufacturing footprint includes eight facilities across six countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. LVS's seed portfolio includes globally renowned brands such as Vilmorin, Mikado, Harris Moran, Clause, and Hazera, serving growers across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East and Africa. As part of the proposed collaboration, LVS and Silal, an ADQ portfolio company specializing in agri-food technology, plan to establish a research and development partnership, leading to the creation of a joint venture focused on desert-adapted vegetable genetics. The collaboration aims to develop innovative genetic solutions that enhance the resilience of vegetable crops to extreme environmental conditions such as extreme heat, drought, and salinity. Research and development would be conducted at Silal's Innovation Oasis in Al Ain, a purpose-built agritech hub equipped with state-of-the-art greenhouses, growth chambers, and seed testing laboratories, with LVS contributing its global expertise in vegetable genetics. Together, the partners are committed to advancing solutions for sustainability and food security in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly across the Gulf. The envisaged transaction represents a strategic entry by ADQ into a vital segment of the food value chain. In parallel, the research and development partnership between Silal and LVS would accelerate local innovation in desert adapted seeds and contribute meaningfully to the UAE's national food security agenda. Developing climate resilient seed varieties is essential for enhancing crop yields and ensuring reliable food supply, both of which are central to achieving the UAE's long-term objectives, including increasing domestic food production to 50 percent of total consumption and reducing reliance on imports. Mansour Al Mulla, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer of ADQ, said: 'Over the past years, ADQ has focused on building and growing its Food & Agriculture cluster, anchored by fully integrated market leaders across key segments of the value chain. As part of our commitment to strengthening the UAE's economic resilience, expanding into the seeds segment represents a natural next step. It enables us to deepen our exposure to one of the most critical components of the food value chain. By combining Silal's world-class infrastructure and innovation capabilities with the scientific excellence of LVS, we are well positioned to deliver seed innovation solutions that create commercial value while supporting the UAE's food security. We look forward to working with a likeminded partner to help secure a sustainable and resilient food system that delivers safe, nutritious food to a growing global population.' Sébastien Chauffaut, Chief Executive Officer of Limagrain, said: 'We chose ADQ as our potential partner because we not only have a shared vision and values, but are united in a strong commitment to long term sustainable investment and a clear focus on innovation. This potential partnership reflects our mutual dedication to advancing agricultural technologies that address global challenges. ADQ's planned investment in our vegetable seeds business would provide important strategic support to strengthen our position as a global leader in the vegetable seed market and accelerate the development of climate resilient crop varieties. We are also excited about the potential to benefit from ADQ's reach into attractive markets, including but not limited in the Middle East and North Africa, as part of our ongoing global expansion.' This transaction will need to undergo the consultation process of LVS employees' representative bodies, and its closing will be subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals. About ADQ Established in 2018, ADQ is an active sovereign investor with a focus on critical infrastructure and global supply chains. As a strategic partner to the Government of Abu Dhabi, ADQ invests in the growth of business platforms anchored in the Emirate that deliver value to local communities and long-term financial returns to its shareholder. ADQ's total assets amounted to USD 251 billion as of 31 December 2024. Its rapidly expanding portfolio encompasses companies across numerous core sectors of the economy, including energy and utilities, transport and logistics, food and agriculture, healthcare and life sciences, financial services, infrastructure and critical minerals, real estate investments, and sustainable manufacturing. ADQ's Food & Agriculture portfolio includes investments in Louis Dreyfus Company, a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods; Unifrutti, a global champion in the production, trade and distribution of more than 100 varieties of fresh produce; Agthia Group, one of the region's leading food and beverage groups; Al Dahra Holding, an Abu Dhabi-based global leader in forage and other agribusiness sectors; Lulu, the leading hypermarket and supermarket chain in the Middle East; and Silal, Abu Dhabi's leading food and agriculture technology company. For more information, visit or write to media@ You can also follow ADQ on Instagram, LinkedIn and X. About Limagrain Limagrain is a leading international seed and agri-food group, employing 9,600 people across 53 countries. The group achieved sales of €2.5 billion in 2023–2024. While global in scale, Limagrain remains firmly anchored in its agricultural heritage through its parent organization—an agricultural cooperative rooted in the Limagne-Val d'Allier plain, in the heart of France's Auvergne region. Limagrain breeds, produces, and commercializes high value-added field and vegetable seeds, building on a long-standing tradition of excellence in plant improvement. Furthermore, the Group also operates agri-food businesses in France and internationally, enabling the transformation of agricultural output from its 1,300 cooperative farmer members. As the world confronts mounting climatic, environmental, and demographic challenges, Limagrain contributes through its diversified activities to addressing key issues in global food and agricultural systems.
Zawya
16 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
ADQ in talks to buy stake in Limagrain's vegetable seeds business
PARIS: Abu Dhabi investment firm ADQ is in talks to acquire a 35% stake in the vegetable seeds business of French agricultural group Limagrain as part of an alliance that would also seek to develop seeds for harsh climates, Limagrain said on Wednesday. Financial terms were not disclosed. Farmer-owned cooperative Limagrain, based in central France, is one of the world's leading seed suppliers, competing with firms like Bayer. It says it is the largest supplier in the vegetable seed segment. The planned transaction will see Limagrain Vegetable Seeds and Silal – an ADQ portfolio company - launch joint research and development (R&D) partnership in the UAE focused on developing desert-adapted seeds. Limagrain said the proposed tie-up was in keeping with its longstanding approach of bringing in minority shareholders and would allow it to boost research into climate-resilient varieties. ADQ has previously invested in the agricultural supply chain by acquiring a 45% stake in Louis Dreyfus Company, one of the world's biggest crop merchants. The deal with ADQ would see Limagrain bring together different vegetable seed activities that had combined sales of 796 million euros in its 2023-2024 financial year.
The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
Abu Dhabi's ADQ to focus on vegetable gene editing as it seeks stake in seeds company
ADQ, Abu Dhabi's wealth fund, plans to acquire a 35 per cent stake in France's Limagrain Vegetable Seeds as the UAE enters a research-intensive phase to transform farming and reduce reliance on food imports. As part of the deal, ADQ's agritech company Silal and Limagrain Vegetable Seeds plan to establish a research and development partnership to create a joint venture focused on desert-adapted vegetable genetics. The venture will focus on developing vegetable seeds suited to extreme heat, drought and salinity conditions, ADQ said. The UAE imports between 80 and 90 per cent of its food, one of the highest rates globally, according to the World Economic Forum. The country's National Food Security Strategy 2051 sets the deadline for producing 50 per cent of food locally. The financial details of the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, were not disclosed. Long-term R&D "This is very much in a research and development phase right now," said Gil Adotevi, group chief investment officer at ADQ. "There's a closure period that will take us easily to the end of the year. That's when the deal is effectively consummated and when we become an investor in the company. We expect to start seeing it [on farms] a year to a couple of years after that," he told The National. The research and development will take place at Silal 's Innovation Oasis in Al Ain in collaboration with Limagrain Vegetable Seeds' global experts. The process will include screening, controlled trials and field performance testing under UAE-specific environmental conditions. "Collaboration with local farmers will begin once a suitable, high-performing seed variety is identified and ready for commercialisation," Mr Adotevi said. Silal supports farmers by aggregating produce to negotiate better commercial terms with supermarkets, and by offering technology and solutions, including commercially sourced seeds, soil enhancement and water-saving measures, he said. The project will initially focus on crops such as cucumbers, tomatoes and melons, using gene selection and editing techniques, rather than genetic modification, to enhance desirable traits. "This is not genetic modification," Mr Adotevi said. "It's mainly about selecting, finding and editing genes that bring certain traits out. So we're not creating something new here." Why seed innovation matters The UAE grapples with some of the harshest farming conditions in the world. "The UAE and the wider Gulf region contend with a range of environmental factors that shape their approach to food production, including limited arable land, an arid climate with high temperatures and evapotranspiration rates, elevated soil salinity, and decreasing freshwater resources," Antonios Vouloudis, senior director of sustainability and stewardship at NYU Abu Dhabi, told The National. Agriculture consumes around 60 per cent of the UAE's water supply, but meets only a fraction of the country's food demand, according to the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. In some areas, groundwater reserves, which farmers rely on for irrigation, are declining by about one metre annually. While the UAE has made significant investment in vertical farming and hydroponics, seed innovation is viewed as crucial to expanding traditional agriculture in the desert, Mr Vouloudis said. "It focuses on developing varieties resilient to heat, drought and salinity, which is essential for expanding food security beyond niche produce and complementing controlled environment agriculture approaches." Impact beyond the UAE Better seeds could help lower production costs and ultimately benefit consumers, says Mr Adotevi. "For the same piece of land, instead of producing 100kg of something, you end up producing 200kg," he said. "That means your cost comes down, and it translates into a lower cost of fruit and vegetables to the local economy." The benefits could extend beyond national borders. "We do expect that what we develop today here will have a great impact in the world. Africa, the Middle East, Asia, southern Europe and Central America: these are all areas that are experiencing water stress and heat conditions similar to what we have today," Mr Adotevi said. Mr Vouloudis added that the UAE's agritech system is designed for "the testing, scaling, and export of desert-farming innovations to other arid regions globally", particularly across Mena, Central Asia and Africa. The UAE's ambitions echo initiatives elsewhere. In Jordan and Qatar, the Sahara Forest Project, launched in 2011 by Norwegian non-profit The Bellona Foundation, has combined seawater-cooled greenhouses with renewable energy to produce vegetables in arid environments and restore degraded land. In Oman, seawater greenhouse systems, tested since the early 2000s, have demonstrated at pilot scale the ability to produce fresh water and grow crops such as tomatoes and cucumbers in desert conditions. "We're going to see a lot more technology, a lot more precision agriculture 20 years from now, and that's what we're investing in," Mr Adotevi said.
