ADQ Eyes 35% Stake in Limagrain for Desert-Proof Crops Revolution

Malaz Madani

Last updated 26-06-2025

3 min

ADQ plans to acquire a 35% stake in Limagrain Vegetable Seeds.

ADQ and Limagrain will establish a research hub in Al Ain for desert-ready crops.

The project supports UAE's ambition to boost domestic food production significantly.

This partnership aims to enhance UAE's food security and expand Limagrain’s regional presence.

The deal awaits regulatory approval but promises transformative agricultural innovation.

When I first heard that ADQ was looking to snap up a 35 percent stake in Limagrain Vegetable Seeds (LVS), my eyebrows shot right up. I mean, we're talking about one of the oldest, most respected vegetable seed companies around. Founded way back in 1743—long before startups were even a thing—Limagrain is currently the heavyweight champion of vegetable seed innovation, running more than 50 research centres worldwide. Impressive stuff.

Turns out ADQ, Abu Dhabi's sovereign investment giant, thinks it's a good shout too. They're betting big on agri-tech as a key growth sector, especially when it comes to desert agriculture. ADQ's dedicated agri-tech firm, Silal, and Limagrain have plans underway for a new joint research hub in Al Ain, aiming to cultivate veggie crops that withstand scorching heat, drought, and salty soils. Believe it or not, such plants are even harder to nurture than some early-stage startups I've seen around the MENA region!

The joint initiative will set up shop at Silal's Innovation Oasis, a purpose-built research facility boasting state-of-the-art greenhouses and top-notch seed laboratories. Basically, this is where seeds go from "fingers crossed" to fully desert-ready. The project aligns neatly with the UAE's ambitions to boost domestic food production to 50 percent of consumption—a bold and hugely necessary goal given how heavily they rely on imported stuff right now.

Speaking about the deal, Mansour Al Mulla, Deputy Group CEO at ADQ, remarked that the seeds segment was a logical next move in their food and agriculture expansion. He emphasised how joining forces with a brand like Limagrain brings deep expertise to their local infrastructure, targeting sustainable innovation that bolsters UAE’s food security. It’s a clever long-term play, if you ask me—investing wisely to ensure they’re not caught on the hop by global supply chain disruptions.

On the Limagrain side, CEO Sébastien Chauffaut seems equally upbeat. He noted that ADQ was the right partner given its shared values and long term strategic vision. Chauffaut is convinced this partnership could accelerate Limagrain’s push into markets across the Middle East and North Africa—which I reckon is spot on, given ADQ's massive regional clout.

That said, as with most deals surfing this scale, nothing’s set in stone yet. It first needs to pass through all the usual hoops—employee consultations, regulatory green-lights, etc. Nevertheless, the potential is huge. If the deal goes through, we might soon see hardy desert-grown veggies sprouting up faster than startup accelerators across the UAE.

And personally, from an Arageek perspective (and excited observer rooting for MENA's startup ecosystem), I'm pretty chuffed about this. Initiatives like these not only bring innovative ideas to life, but genuinely boost our local entrepreneurial spirit by tangible example.

A side note to close off, folks—did you know Limagrain’s seed catalogue includes household agri-brands like Vilmorin, Mikado, and Hazera? Next salad you tuck into might just have a Limagrain veggie lurking inside. The marrige (sorry, marriage!) of agri-food tech and desert innovation is looking brighter than ever.

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