Einbeck, Germany
June 27, 2025
The seed companies KWS and Limagrain announce the sale of their North American Joint Venture (JV) AgReliant Genetics to GDM, a global leader in plant genetics. The three companies signed a binding agreement today.
The AgReliant Genetics Joint Venture (50/50) was established in 2000 between Limagrain and KWS. AgReliant specializes in research, production, and sale of seeds and offers high-performance varieties for corn, soybeans and other seeds across North America.
“We are proud of what AgReliant has accomplished over the past 25 years. It has successfully built a business serving North American farmers with high-performing germplasm”, explains Nicolás Wielandt, KWS Executive Board member responsible for the corn business. “Capitalizing on the strength and experience of GDM as the world leader in soybean genetics and future owner, I am convinced that AgReliant will become a stronger player to the benefit of its clients and employees.”
With this step, KWS is consistently pursuing its strategy of long-term profitable growth and independent decision-making to support the future needs of farming. This includes the further strengthening of KWS’ leading position in key crops throughout innovations, the development of a strong footprint in the vegetable seed market, the supply for an increasing demand of plant-based protein and driving the hybridization of different crops forward.
Regarding the corn business, KWS is realigning its portfolio, focusing more strongly on the European market, where it holds a profitable leading position. In addition, geographically, KWS will expand its existing successful product portfolio of sugarbeet, cereals, and vegetable varieties in North America.
The total transaction amount for the KWS shares in AgReliant and related germplasm is in the low three-digit million range (USD). Further details remain confidential. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2025.
About KWS
KWS is one of the world's leading plant breeding companies. Around 5,000 employees* in more than 70 countries generated net sales of around EUR1.68 billion in fiscal year 2023/2024. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for almost 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflowers. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants’ resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. To achieve this goal, the company invested more than EUR 300 million in research and development in the past fiscal year. More information https://www.kws.com/corp/en/
* Excluding seasonal workers
About Limagrain
Limagrain is a global company with deep local roots. The parent company is an agricultural cooperative based in the Limagne-Val d’Allier plain, in the heart of Central France’s Auvergne region, while Limagrain is an international seed and agri-food group with some 9,600 employees working in 53 countries. The company breeds, produces, and sells high value-added field and vegetable seeds, drawing on a long history of expertise in plant improvement. Uniquely, Limagrain also has agri-food chain businesses, in France and internationally, to transform the produce of the Cooperative’s 1,300 farmer members. The world faces escalating climatic, environmental and demographic challenges, and the company’s various businesses help address its food and farming issues. As the 4th largest seed company in the world, Limagrain achieved sales of 2.522 billion euros in 2023-2024, with additional sales of 729 million euros from activities carried out in collaboration with strategic partners. www.limagrain.com
About GDM
GDM is a global group dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of intellectual property products in plant genetics for row crops. With an innovative approach, the company integrates advanced technologies and exceptional talent to promote innovation, collaboration, and the development of new businesses that positively impact the agro-industrial value chain. GDM operates in 15 countries and has a team of 3,400 employees. More information: www.gdmseeds.com
About AgReliant Genetics
AgReliant Genetics is committed to providing trusted seed solutions that help farmers grow. They do this by focusing solely on seed and delivering one-of-a-kind, high-performing hybrids. Founded in 2000 by global seed companies KWS and Limagrain, AgReliant Genetics benefits from direct access to a global corn germplasm pool and has a top four corn research program. Through their seed brands, AgriGold®, and LG Seeds in the U.S. and PRIDE® Seeds in Canada, they proudly offer the latest innovation to farmer customers, whether they grow corn, soybeans, sorghum or alfalfa. Discover more at https://agreliantgenetics.com/
Strategischer Schritt: KWS und Limagrain verkaufen nordamerikanisches Joint Venture AgReliant Genetics an GDM
Die Saatgutunternehmen KWS und Limagrain verkaufen ihr nordamerikanisches Joint Venture (JV) AgReliant Genetics an GDM, ein weltweit führendes Unternehmen im Bereich der Pflanzengenetik. Alle drei Unternehmen unterzeichneten heute eine verbindliche Vereinbarung.
AgReliant Genetics wurde im Jahr 2000 als 50/50 Joint Venture von Limagrain und KWS gegründet.
Das Unternehmen ist auf Entwicklung, Produktion und Verkauf von leistungsfähigen Maissorten und Sojabohnen in Nordamerika spezialisiert.
„Wir sind stolz auf das, was AgReliant in den vergangenen 25 Jahren erreicht hat. Das Unternehmen hat erfolgreich ein Geschäft aufgebaut, das nordamerikanische Landwirte mit leistungsfähiger Genetik versorgt“, erklärt Nicolás Wielandt, der im KWS Vorstand für das Maisgeschäft zuständig ist. „Ich bin davon überzeugt, dass AgReliant mit seinen Kunden und Mitarbeitern von der Kompetenz und Erfahrung von GDM als weltweit führendem Unternehmen in der Sojabohnenzüchtung erheblich profitieren wird.“
KWS verfolgt mit diesem Schritt den klaren Fokus auf langfristiges, profitables Wachstum und unternehmerische Unabhängigkeit konsequent weiter, um die künftigen Anforderungen in der Landwirtschaft bestmöglich zu bedienen. Dies umfasst die führende Position von KWS bei wichtigen Kulturen durch Innovationen weiter zu stärken, eine signifikante Position im weltweiten Markt für Gemüsesaatgut aufzubauen, der steigenden Nachfrage nach pflanzlichen Lebensmitteln nachzukommen und die Hybridisierung verschiedener Kulturpflanzen voranzutreiben.
Im Maisgeschäft richtet KWS sein Portfolio neu aus und konzentriert sich stärker auf den europäischen Markt, wo das Unternehmen eine profitable Führungsposition einnimmt. Darüber hinaus wird KWS sein bestehendes erfolgreiches Produktportfolio an Zuckerrüben-, Getreide- und Gemüsesorten in Nordamerika weiter ausbauen.
Der Transaktionsvolumen für die KWS Anteile an AgReliant und der zugehörigen Genetik liegt im unteren dreistelligen Millionenbereich (USD). Weitere Einzelheiten zur Transaktion bleiben vertraulich. Der Verkauf unterliegt der Genehmigung der zuständigen Behörden und wird voraussichtlich im dritten Quartal 2025 abgeschlossen sein.
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