ADQ has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a strategic equity stake in Limagrain Vegetable Seeds, a division of French cooperative Groupe Limagrain and the world’s fourth-largest seed company.
The move, described in a news release, also establishes a joint R&D partnership focused on developing seeds suited for desert and arid climates.
The initiative will create a research and development center in Abu Dhabi. The center aims to harness genetic advancements to improve the resilience, yield, and nutritional profile of vegetables grown in high-temperature and low-water environments.
“We are investing to accelerate the development of cutting-edge agricultural technologies that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system,” ADQ executive director, food and agriculture Thulfiqar Al Badri said in the release. “Our partnership with Limagrain Vegetable Seeds underscores our commitment to developing arid climate agriculture and contributing to global food security.”
Limagrain Vegetable Seeds operates in over 100 countries and holds expertise in genetics for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, and other key crops. The new partnership gives Limagrain a research base in the Gulf region and strengthens its position in climate-smart innovation.
“This strategic and financial partnership project marks a significant milestone for our Group. It aligns with our longstanding approach of welcoming minority partners into our capital structure, while maintaining control of our different activities. Importantly, it underscores our ability and commitment to grow through partnerships that are fully consistent with our identity and that leverage the unique strengths of our model,” Limagrain chairman Sébastien Vidal said in a Limagrain press release.
The collaboration will explore how genomics, phenotyping, and digital technologies can be applied to vegetable crops under UAE conditions. It also aligns with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy and ADQ’s broader investment in sustainable food and agriculture.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
