French conglomerate, Groupe Limagrain today said that it has acquired Delhi-based Century Seeds Pvt Ltd, a local vegetable seeds cultivator in an undisclosed cash deal.

The acquisition, which was made by Groupe Limagrain's wholly-owned Indian subsidiary, is its second major investment in the Indian seeds sector within a year, since its acquisition of Secunderabad-based BISCO Bio Sciences Private Ltd.

In India, Limagrain operates through three Secunderabad-based wholly-ownd subsidiaries - Atash and BISCO Bio Sciences Private Ltd for  field seeds  and Clause India for professional vegetable seeds 

The acquisition will strengthen Limagrain's vegetable seeds market presence in India, a segment which is growing fast, and eventually seen moving into second position in Asia, after China.

It would immediately double the size of the new entity, representing almost 5 per cent of the vegetable seeds market, with sales of almost €8 million.

Chappes, Puy-de-Dôme-based Limagrain is an international agricultural co-operative group, specialising in field seeds, vegetable seeds and cereal products. 

Founded and managed by French farmers, Limagrain is the fourth-largest seed company in the world through its holding Vilmorin & Cie, European leader for functional flours through Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients, and the second-largest French industrial producer of both bread and pastries through Jacquet-Brossard.

The company has an annual turnover of more than €1.5 billion and has a headcount of 7,200, spread out over 40 countries, including 1,400 researchers.

Groupe Limagrain Indian operations are carried out from its office in Hyderabad. It also has a research centre and a breeding station in Bangalore.

Century Seeds is a privately held company run by professional breeders, specialising in vegetable seeds.

The firm also owns a wide range of varieties derived from their high quality breeding programs in more than ten species, including cauliflower, pepper, cabbage, tomato and vegetables mainly consumed in Asia.

It also has an extensive production and sales networks in India, particularly in the northern part of the country.

MAPE Advisory Group India acted as the sole advisor to Century Seeds.