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Vilmorin & Cie

Earnings Release May 3, 2012

1751_iss_2012-05-03_5341e8d6-f44f-4f06-b670-9aa981cb0a41.pdf

Earnings Release

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Public limited company with Board of Directors, with a capital of 262 576 040.25 Euros. Head Office: 4, Quai de la Mégisserie – F-75001 PARIS SIREN Paris 377 913 728 Fiscal year from July 1st to June 30th NYSE Euronext Paris (Compartment A) – Eligible for Deferred Settlement Order

May 3rd 2012

STRONG GROWTH IN BUSINESS AT THE END OF THE 3 rd QUARTER 2011-2012: + 15.3% LIKE FOR LIKE

  • GROWTH OBJECTIVES FOR 2011-2012 MAINTAINED
  • NEW JOINT VENTURE IN CORN PENDING AUTHORIZATION IN CHINA

T THIRD QUARTER 2011-2012: ACCELERATION OF GROWTH IN FIELD SEEDS W WHILE VEGETABLE SEEDS CONTINUE TO PROGRESS

Closing on March 31st , sales at the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2011-2012 corresponding to revenue from ordinary activities came to 1,017.2 million Euros, up by 14.9% compared with the same period for the previous fiscal year.

Restated like for like (currency, business scope), they grew by 15.3% compared with the previous fiscal year.

In millions of Euros 2010-2011 2011-2012 Variation
like for like
First quarter 167.1 178.8 5.9%
Vegetable seeds 103 100.9 0.4%
Field seeds 50.3 64.6 18.1%
Garden products 13.5 13 -2.3%
Holdings 0.2 0.2 -7.1%
Second quarter 197.7 221.9 9.3%
Vegetable seeds 105.3 107.6 2.9%
Field seeds 83.2 105.1 17.7%
Garden products 9 8.7 -2.5%
Holdings 0.3 0.4 50.1%
Third quarter 520.4 616.5 20.9%
Vegetable seeds 148.8 155 3.5%
Field seeds 333.6 423.9 31.5%
Garden products 37.6 37.3 -0.3%
Holdings 0.4 0.4 -1.6%
Sales at the end of
the third quarter
885.2 1,017.2 15.3%
Vegetable seeds 357 363.5 2.4%
Field seeds 467.1 593.6 27.3%
Garden products 60.1 59.1 -1.1%
Holdings 0.9 1 12.7%

Consolidated financial information is established in compliance with the IFRS reference (International Financial Reporting Standards), as adopted by the European Union on March 31st 2011.

The main change in the consolidation scope concerns the acquisition of the corn seed activities of the Brazilian company Brasmilho in August 2011. Limagrain Guerra, founded in February 2011 is now integrated in the reference scope.

Field seeds division: excellent commercial spring campaigns

Activity recorded for the third quarter (423.9 million Euros + 31.5% like for like) has continued to benefit from a favorable agricultural context marked by the beneficial position of cereal prices over the past semester and the increase in acreages of corn and sunflower.

In Europe, the field seeds activity (279.7 million Euros) showed highly dynamic growth in corn seed sales, with the favorable impact of an early sales campaign. Volumes sold are up considerably, and at the same time prices have increased. Moreover, sunflower seed sales this year have once again grown very fast, particularly in Eastern Europe (Russia, Ukraine) and Turkey, resulting in a record campaign. New market shares have been gained through high technical performance of the products and dynamic distribution networks.

  • On the North American market, activity is also developing fast (136.2 million Euros). Volumes sold have increased significantly showing gains in market shares, while price rises have integrated technological innovation and partially covered the increase in agricultural production costs.
  • In South America, the sales campaign for corn (7.5 million Euros) has been completed with fine performances, above the objectives that had been fixed.

As a consequence of this very good third quarter, sales for the Field seeds division on March 31st 2012 stood at 593.6 million Euros, up by 27.1% compared with the same period for the previous fiscal year; this increase is 27.3% like for like (restated for currency and scope).

Vegetable seeds division: upturn in business confirmed

During the course of the third quarter, the division's activity (155 million Euros + 3.5% like for like) shows a return to solid growth with competitive positions being very well maintained. Nevertheless the world market remains tense, and is still suffering from the persistent effect of the sanitary and political crises of 2011.

Consequently, sales for the Vegetable seeds division on March 31st 2012 came to 363.5 million Euros, up by 1.8%. Restated like for like, the increase is 2.4%, in comparison with the high reference of March 31st 2011 of + 8.1%.

Garden products division: a difficult commercial spring campaign

Sales for the Garden products division came to 59.1 million Euros on March 31st 2012, down 1.8% with current data and 1.1% like for like. The spring campaign suffered both in France and the United Kingdom from an unfavorable market environment (economic, weather conditions).

OURLOOK FOR 2011-2012 CONFIRMED

Sales figures for the first nine months of the fiscal year on average represent almost three quarters of Vilmorin's annual sales because of seasonal variations.

Considering the results of the first nine months of the fiscal year as presented above, and on the basis of currently available information, Vilmorin confirms it perspectives for sales growth and operating margin perspectives as disclosed last February. The main challenges for the end of fiscal year 2011-2012 are confirmation of the renewed growth for the Vegetable seeds division and the budgetary readjustments required as a result of the probable drop in business of the Garden products division.

CREATION OF A NEW CORN JOINT VENTURE IN CHINA

As part of its strategy to internationalize its corn activities, Vilmorin has just signed an agreement to set up a joint venture with the company Anhui Hengji Seeds for research, production and distribution of corn seeds in China.

According to the terms of this agreement, Vilmorin should hold 45% of the shares in the new joint venture, Gansu Hengji Seeds. Nevertheless this stake is subject to the authorization of the Chinese authorities.

aSR As of 6.30 pm, you can consult a presentation of sales for the third quarter 2011-2012 on the home page of our website www.vilmorin.info, and in the section Shareholders and Investors.

COMING DISCLOSURES (at the end of trading on the Paris stock market)

Wednesday August 1st: sales for fiscal year 2011-2012 Tuesday October 9th: results for fiscal year 2011-2012 Tuesday November 6th: sales for the first quarter 2012-2013

As the world's fourth largest seed company, Vilmorin develops vegetable and field seeds with high added value, to better meet global food requirements.

True to its vision of sustainable development, Vilmorin relies on ongoing investments in research and international growth to strengthen its market shares. An ambition that is driven by its corporate culture which is based on the sharing of knowledge, quality of life and respect for the needs of mankind.

For any further information:

Daniel Jacquemond Claire Planche

Chief Financial Officer Financial Communication and [email protected] Investor Relations Officer [email protected] Cell: + 33 6 89 10 05 19

Tel: + 33 (0)4 73 63 41 95 Fax: + 33 (0)4 73 63 41 80 Website: www.vilmorin.info

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