GDM, a global plant genetics company, today announced the strategic acquisition of KWS’ corn and sorghum business in South America. This transaction represents a significant milestone in GDM’s consolidation of its row crop business in South America. The transaction agreements will be submitted for approval to the Argentinean and Brazilian regulatory bodies, as applicable.
GDM, a leading plant genetics company, is expanding its reach and advancing its strategy of growth in field crop diversification by acquiring the corn business of KWS in Brazil and Argentina. The transaction announced today includes all of KWS’ South American (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) corn and sorghum breeding and sales activities, as well as all corn and sorghum production sites in Brazil and maize production sites in Argentina, involving around 700 employees. The strength of the business that KWS has built up in Argentina and Brazil makes this operation a key acquisition for GDM.
The addition of KWS’s position and expertise in corn, together with the acquisition of Biotrigo in 2023, strengthens GDM’s position as a prominent company in field crops in South America, evidencing the progress of its growth strategy. ‘The combination of KWS‘ corn position with GDM’s plant genetics expertise, with a focus on soybean and wheat, creates a unique synergy and strength for our market position and the continued advancement of our company,’ said Ignacio Bartolomé, CEO of GDM.
‘We will continue to work closely with the entire agricultural chain, with the aim of continuing to provide the latest advances in technology applied to plant genetics, with the producer as our main focus and yield as the central objective,’ added Bartolomé.
GDM will continue enhancing the business developed by KWS, noted for its outstanding agronomic characteristics. All vegetable, sugar beet and the anti-seasonal breeding programmes of the European corn and sugar beet portfolio in Brazil, Chile and Peru will remain with KWS. The European corn business will not be affected by the transaction.
‘In South America, we have established a strong position in the corn market, something we are very proud of. However, in order to implement the strategic objectives of the KWS group with full force and focus, we have decided that this is the right time, in terms of business maturity, to find a partner who is in a strong position to take the corn business in South America to the next level. We are fully convinced that GDM is the right choice, both from a cultural perspective and in terms of its complementary business position. With GDM as the new owner, a strong player will emerge that is looking to grow further in the South American soybean and corn market,’ said Nicolas Wielandt, member of the Executive Board, responsible for the corn business at KWS.
‘We are excited to welcome KWS to the GDM family and look forward to working together to drive innovation and make a positive difference in agriculture globally,’ said the GDM CEO. ‘We look forward with great interest and anticipation to the advancements and achievements that will soon emerge from this acquisition and are eager to share them with our customers and partners around the world.’
