Bayer to Acquire Argentinian Seed Company FN Semillas S.A.
5 December 2013 
The U.S., Brazil and Argentina account for roughly 80% of global soybean production.
Photo credit: Bayer CropScience AG
Bayer CropScience announced it will purchase the start-up company FN Semillas S.A., which specializes in soybean seed breeding, production and marketing in Argentina.
This acquisition marks Bayer’s entrance into the national soybean seed market in Argentina. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Established in 2010, FN Semillas S.A. has built up a solid presence in the Argentine market, according to Bayer.
“Soybean is a strategic crop for the region and for Bayer CropScience, and this acquisition gives us access to quality germplasm for future variety and trait development,” said Marc Reichardt, head of the region Latin America for Bayer. “With our existing product portfolio and FN Semillas S.A. value-added varieties, we are now in the position to provide Argentinian soybean farmers a comprehensive range of solutions including seeds, crop protection products and services.”
Over the past three years, the company announced a series of acquisitions in Brazil, including the germplasm bank of Agropastoril Melhoramento, the soybean seed companies Wehrtec and SoyTech and the plant breeding technology of CVR.
“Our acquisitions mean we will be able to offer Latin American farmers the latest developments from our soybean trait pipeline in highly competitive local varieties,” said Reichardt. “Building on a broadened soybean variety portfolio and our global trait research, we will be able to provide farmers with a wide range of maturity groups, tailored to the region’s diverse growing conditions.”
The acquisition will be filed for clearance before the Antitrust Authority in Argentina.
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