To launch Desert Seed R&D in UAE
ABU DHABI / UAE, 25 June 2025: In a strategic move that underscores the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to food security and agri-tech leadership, sovereign investment firm ADQ has entered exclusive discussions to acquire a 35 per cent stake in Limagrain Vegetable Seeds (LVS) — the vegetable seed division of the French agricultural cooperative, Limagrain.
The proposed transaction includes a landmark research and development partnership between LVS and Silal, an ADQ portfolio company, aimed at developing desert-adapted vegetable seeds. The collaboration will focus on producing crop varieties that can withstand extreme heat, drought, and salinity — conditions increasingly common across the Middle East and other arid regions.
The R&D work will be anchored at Silal’s Innovation Oasis in Al Ain, a state-of-the-art agri-innovation hub equipped with cutting-edge greenhouses, growth chambers, and seed-testing laboratories. The joint effort is expected to play a critical role in advancing sustainable farming solutions and boosting domestic food production, which the UAE aims to raise to 50 per cent of total consumption as part of its long-term food security objectives.
“Expanding into the seed segment is a strategic next step in strengthening our food and agriculture portfolio,” said Mansour Al Mulla, Deputy Group CEO of ADQ. “By combining Silal’s infrastructure and regional know-how with LVS’s global expertise in seed genetics, we aim to deliver solutions that create commercial value and reinforce national food security.”
A Global Seed Powerhouse
Limagrain Vegetable Seeds is one of the world’s leading vegetable seed producers, with 56 research centres across 20 countries and a portfolio that includes 43 of the world’s 50 most-consumed vegetables. Its well-known brands — including Vilmorin, Mikado, Clause, Harris Moran, and Hazera — are used by farmers globally.
“We chose ADQ as our preferred partner because we share a long-term vision of sustainable innovation,” said Sébastien Chauffaut, CEO of Limagrain. “This partnership would strengthen our position globally and help us develop the next generation of resilient crop varieties.”
The UAE has been actively pursuing partnerships and investments in climate-resilient agriculture, recognising the importance of seed technology as a foundational pillar in its food ecosystem. The collaboration with Limagrain is seen as a critical piece in that puzzle.
Strategic Sector Push
The move also signals ADQ’s growing interest in the food and agriculture sector, where it has consolidated a cluster of integrated businesses across the value chain — from farming and processing to logistics and retail. The partnership with Limagrain is expected to unlock joint ventures, spur local innovation, and open new markets in the Middle East and North Africa.
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and employee consultation within Limagrain. If completed, it will mark one of the most significant foreign investments in the global seed industry by a Middle East-based sovereign wealth entity.
