VILMORIN & CIE : Acquisition of Link Seed. Field Seeds. South Africa

Public limited company with Board of Directors, with a capital of 262 576 040.25 Euros.
Head Office: 4, Quai de la Mégisserie - F-75001 PARIS
SIREN Paris 377 913 728
Fiscal year from July 1^st to June 30^th
NYSE Euronext Paris (Compartment A) - Eligible for Deferred Settlement Order

January 8, 2013

ACQUISITION OF LINK SEED. FIELD SEEDS. SOUTH AFRICA

VILMORIN PURSUES ITS DEPLOYMENT ON THE WORLD MARKET FOR CORN BY SETTING UP BUSINESS IN AFRICA, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOURTH LARGEST SOUTH AFRICAN SEEDS PRODUCER.

After Brazil, China and India, Vilmorin has just passed a new milestone in the internationalization of its corn activities by acquiring the company Link Seed, based in Greytown (State of KwaZulu-Natal), South Africa. 
This majority stake of 80% of the company's capital stock will enable Vilmorin to take up a lasting position on a promising future market where genetically modified seeds have already been very widely adopted by farmers. On the basis of this opportunity, Link Seed represents a top rate partner offering expertise on the local market, and highly specific genetic resources (corn and soybean). A quality research program and a well-implanted distribution network are also examples of the benefits of this family company with sales which should be close to ten million Euros in 2013, representing an estimated corn market share of 6%.
Moreover, Link Seed will be a key component of the development platform which, in the medium term, will be aiming at the emerging markets of South and East Africa.

COMING DISCLOSURES 2012-2013 (at the end of trading on the Paris stock market) Tuesday February 5, 2013: sales at the end of the first semester Tuesday February 19, 2013: results at the end of the first semester Monday April 29, 2013: sales at the end of the third quarter Wednesday July 31, 2013: sales for the year

As the world's fourth largest seed company, Vilmorin develops vegetable and field seeds with high added value, to better meet global food requirements. True to its vision of sustainable development, Vilmorin relies on ongoing investments in research and international growth to strengthen its market shares. An ambition that is driven by its corporate culture which is based on the sharing of knowledge, quality of life and respect for the needs of mankind.

   For any further information, please contact:

Daniel Jacquemond                                                  Claire Planche
Chief Financial Officer                                                 Financial Communication and Investor
[e-mail]                                Relations Officer
                                                                                 [e-mail]
                                                                                           

Tel: + 33 (0)4 73 63 44 85    Fax: + 33 (0)4 73 63 41 80

Website: www.vilmorin.info:
http://www.vilmorin.info/

Acquisition of Link Seed. Field Seeds. South Africa:
http://hugin.info/143537/R/1668967/542148.pdf

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Source: VILMORIN & CIE via Thomson Reuters ONE

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