French multinational plant breeder RAGT Semences has agreed to acquire Syngenta’s 2-row winter and spring malting barley seeds business, including its UK breeding station. Financial details of the deal – which is expected to close by the end of December, subject to regulatory approvals – are not available.
Syngenta announced the “strategic refinement” of its European cereals breeding programmes last summer, to concentrate on its hybrid cereals – its hybrid barley programme is well established, with hybrid wheats due to launch in 2027. The move included the closure of its breeding station near Whittlesford in Cambridge. Syngenta says it remains strongly committed to the growth and development of its wider Seeds business both in Europe and worldwide.
The latest transaction sees RAGT acquire Syngenta’s Market Stainton site in Lincolnshire, a centre of excellence for malting barley breeding, plus the ten Syngenta employees currently dedicated to malting barley. The deal also covers certain specific Syngenta intellectual property (IP), registrations and other related intangible assets.
RAGT says the Syngenta malting barley assets will expand its portfolio and strengthen its presence and expertise across many countries at the farm, malting, brewing and distilling sector levels.
“This strategic addition to our existing malting barley portfolio is an important milestone in advancing our growth strategy,” says RAGT Semences managing director Damien Robert. “This acquisition strengthens our position in key European markets and builds on the strong foundations established by Syngenta. We see clear synergies within our existing portfolio and significant potential to accelerate technologies that will benefit growers across Europe.”
For Syngenta Europe, seeds field crops marketing & portfolio management head Robert Hiles adds: “This agreement with RAGT, a global strategic player in agriculture, will leverage the leading germplasm and growth potential of Syngenta’s malting barley business.
“RAGT has a strong record in the integration of strategic acquisitions and offers excellent prospects for the malting barley seeds business, enabling it to build on its expertise in serving European growers and the malting barley supply chain. We are confident in a smooth handover for our teams and in a continued high level of service and value for growers and the malting barley supply chain,” Mr Hiles concludes.