LNZ Group

What LNZ Group does

LNZ Group is a privately-held, vertically-integrated Ukrainian agroindustrial holding built on the foundation of the Lebedyn Seed Plant established in 1940 and operating today as PrJSC "Lebedyn Seed Plant" (USREOU 00388932). It runs three core divisions: LNZ Agro, which manages 80,000–100,000+ hectares of arable land across 4 production clusters and 47 farm firms producing corn, sunflower, wheat, soybeans, barley, flax, coriander, and peas; LNZ Product, which operates two modern seed processing plants (a 330 t/day specialized corn plant and a 150–200 t/day multifunctional plant handling wheat, barley, peas, soybeans, sunflower, and niche crops); and LNZ Market, a TOP-5 Ukrainian distributor of seeds and crop protection products with 22 regional offices, 150+ sales managers, 5 logistics centers, and 4,000+ active customers. The company owns proprietary brands DEFENDA (generic crop protection, 80 SKUs), UNIVERSEED (corn and silage hybrids with Canadian NAPG genetics), LEGEND (private-label seeds), and BRILLIANT (triple-action seed treatment), and runs LNZ Web, an e-commerce platform enabling online ordering with Nova Poshta delivery. Acquired or adjacent businesses include LNZ Energo (natural gas and electricity supply plus mineral fertilizer distribution), Kyiv-Atlantic Ukraine (oilseed and grain processing acquired in 2023 with 1,000 t/day soybean and 750 t/day rapeseed capacity), Tevitta/Avuar (IQF frozen foods exporting to 20+ countries), and the Shpolianskyi food products plant. The holding operates globally through LNZ Trading GMBH and LNZ Export, exporting grain and oilseeds via Chornogorsk and Pivdenny port terminals. Headcount is 3,000–3,500 including seasonal workers, and ownership appears concentrated in the Kravchenko family based on leadership naming.

LNZ Group's business model is primarily B2B and sales-led: direct field sales via 150+ managers across 22 regional offices, supported by agronomic advisory, pre-payment and early-credit financing terms, and a regional dealer network. Distribution revenue (LNZ Market) is generated as a transaction-based mark-up on seeds, DEFENDA crop protection, and partner brands from BASF, Bayer, Syngenta, Limagrain, and SESVanderhave. Branded proprietary seed sales (UNIVERSEED, LEGEND, Brilliant-treated seeds) capture higher margins via direct-to-farmer and dealer channels. Agricultural production revenue is commodity-driven (one-time sale of grains and oilseeds) with export realized in USD through LNZ Trading GMBH. LNZ Energo generates energy supply revenue via individually negotiated commercial offers per enterprise, with gas sourced from Naftogaz and stored in Ukrtransgaz facilities. The LNZ Web e-commerce platform extends the same pricing to small and medium-scale farmers, who previously lacked access to large-agribusiness tier pricing. Major customer segments are Ukrainian agricultural enterprises and farms (primary), regional distributors and dealers (primary), small/medium farmers via the online channel, and international grain traders for export. The group maintains memberships in EBA, UCAB, Seed Association of Ukraine, Ukrainian Grain Association, GAFTA, NOFOTA, and FOSFA, supporting both domestic positioning and international trade credibility.

Name

LNZ Group

Legal name

PrJSC "Lebedyn Seed Plant"

Website

https://lnz.com.ua

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

LNZ Group is a vertically-integrated Ukrainian agroindustrial holding operating agricultural production across 90,000+ hectares, seed manufacturing, and a TOP-5 national distribution network for seeds and crop protection products serving 4,000+ farming customers across Ukraine.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Inputs and Production

NAICS

Oilseed and Grain Farming (1111), Grain and Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers (42451), Dry Pea and Bean Farming (11113)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150), Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

Seed & Trait Distribution (Dealer Networks) (AFABAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pulses & Legumes Trading/Wholesale (AFAIAKAG)

Keywords

• Seed production
• Crop protection products
• Agricultural distribution
• Grain commodities
• Agricultural inputs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cherkasy

HQ country

Ukraine

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Seed production and sales: LNZ Group produces and sells seeds (corn, sunflower, wheat, barley, peas, soybeans, flax, coriander) through its two manufacturing plants. Revenues are generated from direct sales to farmers, via the LNZ Web online platform, and through regional managers across 22 offices and 150+ sales managers. The company also sells branded seed products under LEGEND private label.
2. Crop protection products (DEFENDA): Distribution of generic crop protection products (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, growth regulators) under the DEFENDA brand, as well as partner brands (BASF, Bayer, etc.). Revenue generated through the distribution network of 22 regional offices.
3. Agricultural production / commodity sales: LNZ AGRO operates 80,000-100,000+ ha of arable land across 47 farm firms, producing corn, sunflower, wheat, soybeans, barley, flax, coriander, and peas for commodity sale. Grain trading includes export through ports (Chornogorsk, Pivdenny terminals).
4. Distribution / trading: LNZ Market operates as a TOP-5 national distributor of seeds and crop protection products, generating revenue from the mark-up on distributed products. The company also runs its own trading operations through LNZ Trading GMBH.
5. Energy supply (LNZ Energo): LNZ Energo supplies electricity and natural gas to agricultural enterprises, having obtained licenses for both. The company also distributes mineral fertilizers (ammonia, nitrate, urea, KAS, NPK). Revenue from energy trading includes 24/7 gas balancing services.
6. Processed agricultural products: Kyiv-Atlantic Ukraine (oilseeds and grains processing), Avuar (frozen fruits/vegetables), and Shpola food products plant produce finished goods for domestic and export markets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

LNZ Group is a vertically-integrated agroindustrial holding that breeds, produces and sells seeds (corn, sunflower, wheat, barley, peas, soybeans, flax, coriander, spelled) through two processing plants, distributes its own DEFENDA crop protection line plus partner brands (BASF, Bayer, Syngenta, Limagrain, SESVanderhave) through 22 regional offices and 5 logistics centers, and operates the LNZ Web e-commerce platform for direct farmer ordering. It also produces commodity grains and oilseeds across 90,000+ hectares, supplies natural gas, electricity and mineral fertilizers to agribusinesses via LNZ Energo, and runs oilseed processing (Kyiv-Atlantic Ukraine) plus IQF frozen food production (Avuar/Tevitta) and branded snack manufacturing (Shpola Food Products Plant).

Product overview

LNZ Group is a vertically-integrated agroindustrial holding operating across three core divisions: LNZ Agro (agricultural production on 83,000+ hectares), LNZ Product (seed manufacturing with specialized corn and multifunctional plants), and LNZ Market (national distribution ranked TOP-5 in Ukraine). The portfolio includes branded sub-products: DEFENDA (crop protection), UNIVERSEED (Canadian corn genetics), LEGEND Seeds (private label seeds), and Brilliant (seed treatment technology). Supplementary offerings include LNZ Web (e-commerce platform), LNZ Energo (gas/electricity/fertilizers), and acquired processing assets: Kyiv-Atlantic Ukraine (oilseed processing), Tevitta/Avuar (frozen foods), and Shpola Food Products Plant. The company operates 5 logistics centers, 22 regional offices, and serves 4,000+ active clients across Ukraine.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DEFENDA: Brand of generic crop protection products including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and growth regulators
• UNIVERSEED
• BRILLIANT
• LNZ Energo
• LNZ Web
• Tevitta
• LEGEND
• LNZ Hub

Products and services

• LNZ Agro (Agricultural Production) Agricultural production division managing 83,000-90,000+ hectares of arable land across 33 agricultural companies and 47 farm firms in 4 production-territorial clusters, producing corn, sunflower, wheat, barley, peas, soybeans, flax, coriander and other crops.
• LNZ Product (Seed Production) Seed manufacturing division operating two modern seed processing plants: a specialized corn plant (330 tonnes/day capacity, 130 workers) and a multifunctional plant (150-200 tonnes/day for wheat, barley, peas, soybeans and sunflower; 75 tonnes/day for niche crops including flax, coriander and spelled). Ranks among TOP-10 Ukrainian seed plants for corn production.
• LNZ Market (Distribution) National-scale distribution business ranked TOP-5 in Ukraine for seeds and crop protection products, operating 5 logistics centers, 22 regional offices, 150+ sales managers, an own customs warehouse, and serving 4,000+ active clients across 20 regions of Ukraine. Distributes own DEFENDA, UNIVERSEED and LEGEND brands plus partner brands including BASF, Bayer, Syngenta, Limagrain and SESVanderhave.
• LNZ Web (E-commerce Platform) Online e-commerce platform at lnzweb.com enabling direct ordering of seeds, plant protection products and fertilizers with detailed product descriptions, agronomic weather forecasts and current elevator prices. Supports delivery via Nova Poshta or warehouse pick-up within 1-2 days, giving small and medium farms access to internationally recognized brand products at large-scale pricing.
• LNZ Energo (Energy Supply) Licensed energy supply division providing natural gas (over 50 million cubic meters annually) and electricity to agricultural enterprises, with 24/7 gas balancing services. Also distributes mineral fertilizers (ammonia, nitrate, urea, CAS, NPK). Serves enterprise customers including Cygnet, Vitagro, Kernel (CFG), IMC, VeresFood, MHP and Gadzhyk FM with individual commercial offers based on consumption patterns.
• DEFENDA (Crop Protection Products) Generic crop protection product brand of 80 formulations combining highly effective compounds meeting modern agrarian industry requirements, sourced from Chinese manufacturing plants with internal quality control. Includes herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, anti-infectious agents and growth regulators distributed exclusively in Ukraine through the LNZ Market distribution network.
• UNIVERSEED (Corn and Silage Hybrids) Corn and silage hybrid seed brand developed jointly with Canadian partner NAPG (North American Plant Genetics), featuring best genetics from Canada and the United States selected through rigorous on-site vetting in Ukraine. Portfolio includes 13 hybrids (6 silo, 9 grain) including unique Leafy and Leafy-Floury silage hybrids adapted to Ukrainian conditions. Registered trademark of LNZ Group for exclusive distribution in Ukraine.
• LEGEND (Private Label Seeds) Private label seed brand of LNZ Group for sunflower and maize seeds, plus winter wheat varieties with resistance to weather conditions and diseases. Result of five years of collaboration, with all hybrids developed and controlled by LNZ Group. Registered private label trademark.
• Tevitta / Avuar (Frozen Foods) IQF (individually quick-frozen) fruit, vegetable and berry freezing plant processing 10,000+ tonnes of raw materials annually with storage capacity of 10,000+ pallet spaces. BRC Food Certified, exports to more than 20 countries.
• Kyiv-Atlantic Ukraine (Oilseed and Grain Processing) Innovative oilseed and grain processing facility acquired by LNZ Group in 2023, including oil extraction plant, elevator, feed mill, and certified production technology laboratory (ISO 17025:2019). Processes soybeans at 1,000 tonnes/day and rapeseed at 750 tonnes/day. Holds ISO 22000:2018, GMP+B1, HALAL, KOSHER and ISCC-EU certifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90,000+ ha of arable land across 4 production-territorial clusters
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Ukrainian Grain Association (UZA)minorOthers · 1 May 2023LNZ Group became a member in May 2023. UZA works to create favorable conditions in the grain market and protect sector participants' interests.
• Kyiv-Atlantic Ukraine (KAU) / Sviat-AgrocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023LNZ Group acquired Kyiv-Atlantic Ukraine in 2023. KAU is an innovative oilseed and grain processing center (oil extraction plant, elevator, feed mill) acquired from Sviat-Agro group as a platform for developing a crushing plant project.
• European Business Association (EBA)minorOthers · 23 September 2019LNZ Group became a member of EBA in September 2019. EBA is the largest business association in Ukraine, established with European Commission support.
• NAPG (North American Plant Genetics) / UNIVERSEEDcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Joint development of UNIVERSEED corn and silage hybrid brand combining Canadian genetics from NAPG with LNZ Group's Ukrainian field testing and distribution network. Each hybrid selected from 1,500 samples and tested for 5 years in Ukrainian conditions.
• UkrAgroProtect (DEFENDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017UkrAgroProtect joined LNZ Group in 2017 and became the basis for the DEFENDA brand — a new generation of generic crop protection products. LNZ Group develops, manufactures, and distributes DEFENDA products internally.
• SyngentacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLNZ Agroholding is a long-term partner in providing seed crop services for Syngenta, one of the world's leading plant breeders. Over 10 years of collaboration.
• LimagraincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership for seed crop services. LNZ Group processes Limagrain's proprietary seed genetics in its manufacturing facilities.
• BASFmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBASF crop protection products distributed through LNZ Market's nationwide distribution network. LNZ Market distributes BASF's branded CPP catalog to Ukrainian farmers.
• Limagrain (seeds distribution)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLimagrain seeds distributed through LNZ Market's distribution network. LNZ Group holds an official Limagrain distribution partnership.
• SESVanderhavemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSESVanderhave sugar beet seeds distributed through LNZ Market's distribution network across Ukraine.
• Syngenta (seeds distribution)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSyngenta seeds and crop protection products distributed through LNZ Market's distribution network across Ukraine.
• PJSC Naftogaz UkraineminorOthersNaftogaz Ukraine is the primary natural gas supplier for LNZ Energo's gas supply operations. LNZ Energo purchases gas from Naftogaz and resells/distributes to agricultural clients.
• AT UkrtransgazminorOthersLNZ Energo stores approximately 50 million cubic meters of natural gas in AT Ukrtransgaz storage facilities.
• Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB)minorOthersUCAB brings together over 100 leading Ukrainian agribusiness companies. LNZ Group is a reliable partner in the UCAB Association.
• Seed Association of Ukraine (SAU)minorOthersProfessional organization of seed companies. LNZ Group membership provides exchange of experience, market trends discussion, and industry advocacy.
• GAFTA (Grain and Feed Trade Association)minorOthersInternational trade association with over 1,900 member companies in 100+ countries. LNZ Group is a member for grain trading and export operations.
• NOFOTA (Netherlands Oils, Fats and Oilseeds Trade Association)minorOthersDutch trade association for oils, fats, and oilseeds. LNZ Group is a member, utilizing NOFOTA's standard contracts and arbitration mechanisms for international trade.
• FOSFA (Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations)minorOthersInternational trade organization with over 1,200 member companies in nearly 90 countries. LNZ Group is a member, using FOSFA standard contracts for oils and oilseeds trade.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• IMC (Industrial Milk Company): IMC is a Ukrainian agro holding focused on crop production, storage and dairy farming with comparable land bank scale (~120,000 ha). Its pure-play crop production and grain storage operations overlap closely with LNZ Agro's commodity farming and elevator/logistics business.
• Astarta-Kyiv: Astarta-Kyiv is a vertically-integrated Ukrainian agro holding combining sugar production, soybean processing, grain farming and agricultural inputs. Its scale (tens of thousands of hectares plus processing assets) and listed status make it one of the most direct size-and-model comparables for LNZ Group's integrated farming and processing model.
• Cygnet Agrocompany: Cygnet is a mid-sized Ukrainian agro holding with crop production, sugar manufacturing and grain storage across multiple oblasts. As both a regional farming peer and an LNZ Energo customer, it provides a comparable operating model for integrated farming, processing and energy procurement in Ukraine.
• Agroprosperis (formerly NCH Capital agribusiness): Agroprosperis is one of Ukraine's largest agro-industrial groups operating hundreds of thousands of hectares with grain elevators, seed production and a national distribution network. Its vertically-integrated farming-plus-inputs model and Ukrainian operating base make it a direct strategic comparable to LNZ Group.

Emerging players

• KWS Saat: KWS is one of the world's leading seed companies specializing in corn, sugar beet, cereals and oilseed varieties, with strong presence in Eastern Europe. It competes with UNIVERSEED in hybrid corn and with DEFENDA-adjacent seed treatment offerings, making it a relevant European seed genetics peer for LNZ Group's branded seed ambitions.

Broad incumbents

• Corteva Agriscience: Corteva (parent of Pioneer and Brevant seeds) is a global seed and crop protection leader that competes with LNZ Group's UNIVERSEED and LEGEND corn hybrid brands and whose products are partly distributed through the LNZ Market network. Its European seed business is a direct comparable for hybrid corn genetics positioning.
• Kernel Holding: Kernel is the largest Ukrainian vertically-integrated agro holding, with ~500,000 ha of farmland, leading grain export volumes and oilseed processing capacity. It is both a benchmark for Ukrainian agro-industrial scale and an LNZ Energo customer, making it the closest comparable for end-to-end farming, distribution and commodity trading operations.
• Syngenta Seeds: Syngenta is one of the world's largest seed and crop protection companies and a long-term LNZ Group partner (>10 years) for seed production services. Its global seed genetics portfolio and crop protection catalog overlap with UNIVERSEED and DEFENDA's competitive set, making it the most relevant global incumbent peer.
• UkrLandFarming: UkrLandFarming is one of the largest Ukrainian landbanks with integrated grain, livestock and egg production, and significant input distribution activities. Its scale, diversification and input distribution overlap make it a relevant peer for LNZ Group's agro-industrial structure.
• MHP (Myronivsky Hliboproduct): MHP is one of Ukraine's largest agro holdings, integrating grain production, poultry and meat processing with extensive farmland and export operations. While MHP's downstream focus is animal protein rather than seeds, its Ukrainian farming footprint, energy needs (also an LNZ Energo customer), and export orientation make it a structurally similar agro-industrial peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lnzgroup1
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9-y6V9J7kqEbmFLqB4LJPQ
• Xx.com/lnz_group
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lnz-llc

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about LNZ Group