Syngenta Group announces the acquisition of Valagro, a leading Biologicals company, by its business
unit Syngenta Crop Protection. The investment positions Syngenta Crop Protection as one of the key
global companies poised to shape the rapidly growing Biologicals market, which is set to nearly double
in size over the next five years. Valagro will continue to operate as an independent brand in the market
within the Syngenta Crop Protection business.
Valagro is a market-leading producer of innovative Biologicals, with a ~10% CAGR from 2009-2019 and
an approximate revenue of $175m in 2019. The company has excelled by harnessing the power of
nature to provide innovative and effective solutions for plant nutrition and care. With 40 years of
experience, it offers its customers a comprehensive crop portfolio in Biologicals with a market-leading
position in biostimulants and speciality nutrients. Headquartered in Atessa, Italy, Valagro serves
customers around the world with a strong presence in Europe and North America, as well as a growing
footprint in Asia, including China, and LATAM. Valagro has over 700 employees, 13 subsidiaries and 8
production sites around the world, with a portfolio backed by best-in-class biological R&D, production
and commercialization capabilities.
This strategic acquisition enables Syngenta Crop Protection to build a world-leading Biologicals
business. Valagro has a strong commercial and production standing, as well as an industry-leading
technology and research capacity. Valagro’s well-established portfolio in biostimulants and specialty
nutrients will complement both Syngenta Crop Protection’s current range of biostimulants and
biocontrols, as well as its future pipeline of biological solutions. Biocontrols and biostimulants, natural
solutions for pest, disease control and crop improvement, are increasingly important for farmers
worldwide in their efforts for sustainable agricultural production. This acquisition is fully in-line with
Syngenta Crop Protection’s strategy to provide growers with additional complementary choices of
products and technologies in order to effectively and sustainably care for their crops by managing
resistance, enhancing soil health, reducing residues in crops, and addressing consumer demands.
Erik Fyrwald, CEO of Syngenta Group stated: “We are looking forward to welcoming the Valagro team
to Syngenta Group. This acquisition underlines our growth ambitions in this area and positions us as
one of the strongest players in the global biologicals market. The investment also forms part of our $2
billion commitment to help farmers address the effects of climate change and improve agricultural
sustainability as part of our Good Growth Plan.”
Giuseppe Natale, CEO Valagro said: “For 40 years our mission at Valagro has been to harness nature
in order to help farmers achieve higher yields and grow better quality crops. This agreement will open
up new, previously unimaginable growth prospects for the Valagro group worldwide. Now that we are
part of a company with the resources and ambition of Syngenta Crop Protection, we have exciting new
opportunities for our innovation to better deliver even more options for farmers and to invest even more
effectively in the sustainable future of agriculture.”
Jon Parr, President Global Crop Protection at Syngenta noted: “Significant levels of investment in
innovations such as Biologicals are necessary in order to deliver a sustainable future and help farmers
deliver a food system working in harmony with nature. Syngenta Crop Protection and Valagro have a
foundation in science-based innovation and are eager to collaborate, share knowledge and build on
each other’s capabilities. By fostering the entrepreneurial spirit and culture of Valagro, powered by our
global scale and capability, together we will shape the future of the agricultural Biologicals market.”
The financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.