SWITZERLAND – Syngenta, an international company committed to growing the world’s food has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Nidera Seeds, a key player in the South American seeds market.

Nidera Seeds are a COFCO International’s wholly owned subsidiary and deals in proprietary brands in corn, sunflower, sorghum, soybeans and wheat, which had been confirmed in February 2017.

Syngenta announced plans to acquire Nidera seeds in 2017 as part of COFCO’s strategy to divest part of the business so as to focus on the major business.

Reuters had revealed that the sale could be attributed to losses and accounting issues experienced by the subsidiary.

Nidera Seeds concentrates its activities mostly in South America and Europe and specifically in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

The acquisition aims to increase Syngenta’s capabilities to bring diversity and modern technologies at the same time helping farmers to feed the world in a more sustainable manner.

Syngenta’s technology combined with Nidera’s diversity creates a pool of efforts in creating competitiveness in seeds, bring more value to customers and at the same time contributing to UN’s sustainable development goals.

“Having Nidera Seeds under the leadership of Andre Dias become part of our business is very exciting.

Nidera Seeds has great germplasm, a strong R&D pipeline and broad footprint across the region.

We welcome the passionate and capable Nidera Seeds team into the business and look forward to achieving great things as one team,” said Erik Fyrwald Syngenta CEO.

Concerning the acquisition, Johnny Chi, CEO of COFCO International commended that the transaction will allow them to further strengthen their focus on grains, oilseeds and sugar.

Syngenta revealed that they were putting Nidera business into a great commitment to develop it with a beneficial outcome for all stakeholders.

To achieve long term growth through development of customers, farmers and employees, Syngenta is committed to Sustainable development through the newly created Business Sustainability Group under the able leadership of Chief Sustainable Officer, Alexandra Brand.