MAS Seeds continues its international development with the creation of a subsidiary in Ivory Coast

Date:02-10-2020


MAS Seeds, a subsidiary of the Maïsadour cooperative, announces the opening of a new subsidiary near the Ivorian capital. The entity includes an R&D pole and a commercial unit responsible for testing and developing a range of tropical corn adapted to the climatic and agricultural specificities of the territory. It is the 14th subsidiary for the seed company, which already generates 85% of its turnover internationally.

Improve agricultural practices and sustainably enhance production

At the heart of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Côte d'Ivoire is a strategic territory with high agricultural and food challenges. Located in the south of the country, in Ahouati, MAS Seeds wishes to provide farmers with innovative solutions and help them to make the most of their production and their land. " Maize is, after rice, the most cultivated cereal in Côte d'Ivoire ", explains Jacques Groison, Managing Director of MAS Seeds. " About 600,000 tonnes are produced each year by small family farms for mainly food purposes ," explains the manager. " Our ambition is to help the farmers to improve their harvest which will not only be used to feed the family, but will also bring an additional income ”, explains the leader.

From research to the creation of specific sectors

Beyond the creation of varieties, MAS Seeds wants to encourage distributors to create real production chains and organize them by contract. " Our cooperative know-how must allow operators to provide productive and beneficial organizational models for all, " explains Denis Villenave, Director of New Markets. MAS Seeds is thus continuing its investments in the creation of varietals of hybrid seeds of non-GMO tropical corn after the recent acquisition of a research program in Mexico. This genetic background, in addition to the promotion of best agronomic practices, makes it possible to adapt to the different agro-climatic situations of a rapidly growing market.

International at the heart of MAS Seeds' development strategy

Present in 50 countries, relying on 14 subsidiaries abroad where 50% of its workforce work, MAS Seeds has always been part of a globalized market. " As a seed company, we need to exist on a European scale and beyond ", specifies Jacques Groison. This presence throughout Europe today, in Asia, in the Americas and now in Africa should enable the company, which invests 15% of its turnover in R&D each year, to conquer new markets and advance its innovations. MAS Seeds aims to triple its turnover by 2026 to reach 500 million euros.

About MAS Seeds

MAS Seeds is the brand and subsidiary of the MAÏSADOUR Cooperative Group. With 70 years of experience in the seed market, MAS Seeds is structured around 3 trades: the creation of varieties for field crops (corn, sunflower and rapeseed), the production of hybrid seeds, and the placing on the market. Among the leaders in hybrid seed production in Europe, MAS Seeds has a production capacity of 25,000 ha, 2/3 of which is in the South West of France, and an industrial capacity of 2.5 million bags of seeds ( corn, sunflower, winter rapeseed, alfalfa, sorghum, cereals and feed mixtures). MAS Seeds has 14 international subsidiaries and generates 85% of its turnover outside of France, in nearly 50 countries.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in French. This English summary has been prepared with Google Translate and edited for clarity.