Limagrain

What Limagrain does

Limagrain is a French agricultural cooperative group, founded in 1965 by farmers in Auvergne and headquartered in Saint-Beauzire, France. It is the 4th largest seed company globally, operating in 49 countries with more than 9,600 employees representing 92 nationalities. The company selects, produces, and commercializes high value-added field seeds (wheat, corn) and vegetable seeds through brands including Hazera, HM.CLAUSE, Vilmorin-MKS, and Genective. Beyond seeds, Limagrain runs integrated agri-food chains that transform wheat and corn produced by its 1,300 farmer-members into functional ingredients (Limagrain Ingredients), branded bakery and pastry products (Jacquet, Brossard), and garden products (Vilmorin Jardin).

The group's underlying technology centers on plant breeding and genetic improvement, supported by biotechnology capabilities (via subsidiary Genective for GMO corn traits) and modern production infrastructure exemplified by the €200 million ATHENZA modernization project at Ennezat. Underlying platform architecture spans an integrated value chain from germplasm development through seed production to finished food products, giving Limagrain end-to-end control rare among global seed companies.

Limagrain's business model is a farmer-owned cooperative (parent: Limagrain Cooperative) operating on a one-person-one-vote governance principle. Revenue is generated across three streams: seed sales (one-time license per planting season), agri-food product sales (Jacquet, ingredients, grain products) to B2B food manufacturers and retail, and joint activities with strategic partners (contributing €767M in FY 2024-2025 on top of €2,452M direct revenue). Go-to-market combines direct seed sales to farmers globally, channel partnerships (DKSH in Southeast Asia), and branded retail distribution for consumer-facing bakery products, serving agricultural producers, food manufacturers, and end consumers across the cooperative-to-consumer value chain.

Name

Limagrain

Legal name

Vimorin & Cie

Website

https://limagrain.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Limagrain is a French farmer-owned cooperative and the world's 4th largest seed company, breeding and selling field and vegetable seeds globally while operating integrated agri-food chains that transform wheat and corn from its 1,300 farmer-members into ingredients and branded bakery products across 49 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Seeds and Agri-Food

NAICS

Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (424910), Wheat Farming (11114)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150)

akta.pro primary industry

Seed Distribution & Wholesale (Channel Sales) (AFAGAIAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cereal & Grain Seeds (Wheat, Barley, Oats, Rye) (AFABAFAB)

Keywords

• Agricultural seed production
• Vegetable seed breeding
• Functional flour ingredients
• Field crop genetics
• Bakery pastry products

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-beauzire

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Seed Sales: Limagrain generates revenue by breeding, producing, and selling high value-added field seeds and vegetable seeds. As the 4th largest seed company globally, the company commercializes seeds for wheat, corn, and vegetables.
2. Agri-Food Products: The Group deploys unique agri-food chain activities to transform and commercialize produce from its 1,300 farmer members, including bakery products (Jacquet brand), ingredients, and grain products.
3. Joint Activities Revenue: Revenue generated from activities conducted jointly with strategic partners, in addition to direct revenue of 2,452 M€

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Limagrain breeds, produces, and commercializes high value-added field seeds (wheat, corn) and vegetable seeds, and operates integrated agri-food chains that transform its 1,300 cooperative farmer members' wheat and corn into functional flours, plant-based ingredients, and branded bakery and pastry products (Jacquet, Brossard). The Group also sells consumer garden products under the Vilmorin Jardin brand and conducts cooperative support services for its farmer members.

Product overview

Limagrain is a seed and agri-food group operating as a 4th largest global seed company with a cooperative business model. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio organized into two main categories: Seeds (Field Seeds for wheat/corn and Vegetable Seeds) and Agri-Food (Ingredients including functional flours, Bakery & Pastry products under the Jacquet brand, and Garden Products under Vilmorin Jardin). The products are organized under multiple sub-brands including Hazera, HM.CLAUSE, Vilmorin-MKS, and Genective for seeds, with regional business units (Limagrain Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa) and specialized units (Limagrain Ingredients, Limagrain Cereal Seeds, Céréales Vallée, Limagrain Coop) serving different market segments. The integrated business model uniquely combines seed development with agri-food chain activities that valorize the production of 1,300 cooperative farmer members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jacquet: Bakery and pastry products including breads and baked goods made from wheat produced by cooperative members
• Vilmorin
• HM.CLAUSE
• Hazera
• Brossard

Products and services

• Field Seeds (Semences de Grandes Cultures) High value-added field seeds for major crops including wheat and corn, developed through plant breeding and selection programs and sold to farmers and agricultural producers worldwide.
• Vegetable Seeds (Semences Potagères) High value-added vegetable seeds developed through breeding programs and sold under brands including Hazera, HM.CLAUSE, and Vilmorin-MKS to professional growers globally.
• Functional Ingredients (Ingrédients) Functional flours and plant-based ingredient solutions for food applications including bakery, pastry, breakfast cereals, and savory snacks, distributed by the Limagrain Ingredients business unit including through the DKSH exclusive partnership across six Southeast Asian markets.
• Bakery and Pastry Products (Boulangerie-Pâtisserie) Finished food products including breads and pastries sold under the Jacquet and Brossard brands, utilizing wheat from Limagrain Cooperative farmer members, distributed through French retail stores and food service channels.
• Garden Products (Produits de Jardin) Garden and home products sold under the Vilmorin Jardin brand, including seeds and gardening solutions for consumer home gardening markets.
• Cooperative Activities (Activités de la Coopérative) Agricultural cooperative services for 1,300 farmer members, pooling resources and valorizing wheat and corn production through integrated supply chains including the Céréales Vallée grain collection and storage operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Revenue of 2,452 M€ in FY 2024-2025 with 767 M€ additional from joint partner activities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• DKSHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 April 2026DKSH entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Limagrain Ingredients to distribute functional flours and plant-based ingredient solutions across six Southeast Asian markets: Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. DKSH provides end-to-end market expansion services including marketing, sales, distribution, logistics, regulatory support, and technical application support for bakery, pastry, breakfast cereals, and savory snack applications. This is Limagrain Ingredients' first collaboration with DKSH and is designed to accelerate market access and create cross-selling opportunities across the region while strengthening DKSH's portfolio in functional flours and plant-based ingredients.
• ASM Clermont AuvergneflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2009Limagrain has been a major partner of ASM Clermont Auvergne rugby club since 2009. The partnership features stadium branding at Stade Marcel-Michelin, jersey sponsorships with Jacquet brand logo, and annual events bringing together 500 farmers from the cooperative. The partnership is rooted in shared values of engagement, team spirit, and performance, and serves to promote the Auvergne region's agricultural heritage and local wheat-to-bread value chain.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Corteva: US-listed global seed and crop protection company spun out of DowDuPont. Direct competitor in field seeds (corn, wheat) and a top-tier player with significantly larger scale than Limagrain, providing a benchmark for seed-market positioning.
• Syngenta: Global agriscience company owned by ChemChina/Sinochem, active in seeds, crop protection, and digital agriculture. Direct competitor in field and vegetable seeds with comparable global footprint.
• Bayer Crop Science: The crop science division of Bayer AG (formed after the Monsanto acquisition), the world's largest seed and trait company. Direct competitor across field seeds, vegetable seeds, and crop protection with materially larger R&D and capital base.
• KWS SAAT: Germany-based independent seed company focused on sugar beet, corn, and cereals. Closely comparable European mid-cap seed pure-play with similar cooperative heritage and field-seed focus.
• Rijk Zwaan: Dutch family-owned vegetable seed breeding company. Direct competitor in vegetable seeds alongside Limagrain's Hazera and HM.CLAUSE brands, serving professional growers globally.
• Enza Zaden: Dutch independent vegetable breeding company. Direct competitor in professional vegetable seeds, with comparable global reach and a similarly family-controlled ownership structure.
• Sakata Seed Corporation: Japan-based global vegetable and flower seed company. Comparable in vegetable seed breeding and global distribution, particularly in Asian markets where Limagrain also operates through Limagrain Asia.

Broad incumbents

• BASF Agricultural Solutions: Agricultural division of BASF SE, active in seeds, crop protection, and digital farming. Overlaps with Limagrain's seed and trait portfolio but operates as part of a much larger chemical conglomerate.

Emerging players

• DLF Seeds: Danish global leader in forage and turf seeds, owned by Danish farmers through a cooperative. Adjacent seed peer with a cooperative ownership model similar to Limagrain, though focused on different crop segments.
• East-West Seed: Netherlands-headquartered tropical vegetable seed company focused on smallholder farmers in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Comparable in vegetable seed breeding with a developing-market growth profile relevant to Limagrain's emerging-market expansion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Limagrain
• Facebookfacebook.com/limagrain

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Limagrain