Bergschenhoek, The Netherlands
February 8, 2010

Monsanto’s Vegetable Seeds Division presented its leading vegetable seeds brands, Seminis, De Ruiter Seeds, Peotec Seeds and Western Seed during the 2010 edition of Fruit Logistica. With the ‘Signs of Success’ the company showed the products and collaboration opportunities it offers today.

Signs of Success

During Fruit Logistica, Monsanto’s Vegetable Seeds Division presented the Signs of Success: Technology, Dialogue, Innovation, Partnership and Sustainability. Showcasing the Signs of Success, the company presented top-in-class varieties, sustainability solutions and collaboration opportunities. “A perfect example of what partnership can mean is bellaverde® Sweet Stem Broccoli,” says Carl Rentes, Director Consumer Traits Europe Middle East, Africa. “This new broccoli variety has been introduced successfully in the UK and more European markets will follow. Innovation is well represented by Cosmopolitan™, a totally new lettuce concept. Cosmopolitan is a cross between Romaine and Iceberg lettuce and combines an exceptionally good and crispy taste with nutritional value.”

EverMild™ sweet onion is new variety that was launched in the United States in the first week of February. It is a multipurpose mild onion, created by breeding for sweetness while preserving storability, using precision growing techniques and strict product specifications. A special Web site was launched to support the introduction: www.evermild.com.

Tasty and healthy vegetables

Monsanto’s Vice President of Consumer Traits David Stark was present at Fruit Logistica and explained about Monsanto’s focus: “Our dream is to bring tasty and healthy vegetables to the consumer. If we can bring vegetables to the market that children just love to eat, then we have reached one of our key objectives. We are working hard to improve the quality of our products for consumers, like aroma, flavor and nutritional value. At the same time we don’t forget other traits that are crucial for our customers, like disease resistances and shelf life. Monsanto puts a lot of efforts in both fields.”

Seven key crops were presented in Berlin: tomato, melon, pepper, onion, lettuce, broccoli and cucumber. All products could be seen and tasted as the chef de cuisine served a selection of dishes.

About Monsanto Vegetable Seeds Division

Monsanto’s Vegetable Seeds Division is focused on innovation to improve the quality and productivity of vegetables and fruits. The company breeds, produces and markets vegetable seeds for both open field crops and protected crops. Our leading brands are De Ruiter Seeds, Seminis, Western Seed and Peotec Seeds; they all represent innovation in their area of specialization in protected and open field crops. Monsanto invests in the development of products that deliver better taste, enhance consumer nutrition and health, reduce the need for chemical crop protection by breeding for natural resistance and increase productivity and yield. For more information about Monsanto visit www.monsanto.com.

For more information on the participation of Monsanto Vegetable Seeds at Fruit Logistica visit www.signsofsuccessfl2010.com.

Website: http://www.seedquest.com/id/d/deruiterseeds.htm

Published: February 9, 2010