Vilmorin Developing GM Corn, Wheat

CHAPPES, France — Adrian Huige, Chief Executive Officer of Europe’s second-largest seed company, Vilmorin & Cie., says the company plans to sell its first genetically modified (GM) seeds within six years, according to Bloomberg. Vilmorin, which currently sells biotech crops from Monsanto Co. and other producers, is developing its own GM seeds, Huige said in an interview with Bloomberg from Paris. The company plans to introduce its GM corn in 2015 or 2016, followed by wheat between 2016 and 2018, said Huige. He sees biotech wheat as having potential to “revolutionize the market,” as only 30% of global wheat planting currently uses commercial seed.

Vilmorin accounts for 5% of the world seed market, says Huige, compared with 25% for Monsanto, 15% for DuPont Co.’s Pioneer Hi-Bred International, and 9% for Syngenta AG.

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Only 30% of global wheat plantings use commercial seed at the moment, Huige said, adding that the wheat market has an estimated value of US$200 million to $300 million. GM wheat will be based on more efficient use of nitrogen by the plant and drought tolerance, Huige said.
 

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