Vilmorin has recently finalized, with the holding company Megadlei Zeraim Ltd., acquisition of the stake that this company held in Hazera Genetics (Israel). Vilmorin has consequently increased its own stake from 54.8% to 90%.

 
Vilmorin thus confirms its long-term commitment to support Hazera’s development strategy, which will above all be based on strengthening collaboration with the other professional vegetable seed companies at Vilmorin and on a broader opening-up towards external partners.

In financial terms, this operation, which is entirely self-financed, values Hazera at a sum slightly below its market capitalization. It should increase the earning per share for Vilmorin from the 2006-2007 fiscal year.

Listed on the Tel Aviv stock market, Hazera had a turnover of more than 50 million euros in 2005 with net profits of 6.1 million euros. The world leader in tomato seeds, Hazera also holds an important place in the pepper, melon and watermelon markets and is present in Europe, notably in the areas surrounding the Mediterranean and on the American market.

… AND CONCLUDES A FUNDAMENTAL STEP IN ITS DEVELOPMENT IN ASIA

In consultation with its leading shareholder Limagrain, Vilmorin announces the successful negotiation of a strategic alliance with the Indian biotechnology company Avestha Gengraine Technologies Pvt. Ltd (“Avesthagen”).In the short term, this agreement will result in the creation of joint ventures with an aim to develop a vegetable and field crop seed unit on the Indian market, particularly by external growth.

In addition, according to the partnership in their respective areas of research, Vilmorin and Avesthagen will very quickly collaborate on biotechnologies applied to variety creation. This agreement will involve notably the conducting of common research programs and the reciprocal access to technological platforms owned by the two companies.

Based in Bangalore, Avesthagen is in a leading position in the biotechnology sector applied to health. Its team of more than 200 researchers is entirely dedicated to plant biotechnology.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday evening 8th August 2006: disclosure of the year's turnover for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. Wednesday evening 11th October 2006: publication of the year's results for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.

Vilmorin is today the fourth largest operator in the world in the vegetable and field crop seed market. Its strategy and growth perspectives combined with a responsible view of its development, make its stock an efficient and high-profit security. Listed on Euronext Paris since 1993, Vilmorin’s quotation is included in the CAC Mid 100 and SBF 250 indices.