Advanta Seeds, a global seed company under the UPL Group, has acquired key corn assets from Italian agricultural firm K-Adriatica, strengthening its presence in the European market. The strategic deal includes temperate corn germplasm, a robust pipeline of hybrids, and a comprehensive corn product portfolio tailored to European growing conditions.

This acquisition marks a significant step for Advanta Seeds as it continues to expand its crop offerings and bolster support for European farmers. The newly acquired germplasm has been specifically bred for the European cropping environment, offering a wide maturity range and enhancing the company’s adaptability in diverse agricultural regions.

“K-Adriatica’s germplasm was a compelling asset for us,” said Victor Abertondo, global research and development lead at Advanta Seeds. “It reflects more than two decades of dedicated breeding for European conditions and complements our temperate corn genetics from Argentina, Australia and the United States.”

Founded over 50 years ago, K-Adriatica is known for high-quality, innovative agricultural products. The integration of its corn genetics into Advanta Seeds’ global breeding program is expected to accelerate the development of high-yield, stable hybrids customized for European farmers.

“We are thrilled about this acquisition,” said Bhupen Dubey, global CEO of Advanta Seeds. “Europe’s agriculture is incredibly diverse. By combining our global expertise with region-specific genetics, we aim to deliver superior hybrids with consistent performance. This move also supports our broader strategic ambitions in key markets including North India, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, China and the United States.”

Dubey added that the company regularly evaluates acquisition opportunities as part of its inorganic growth strategy, prioritizing those that align with its long-term portfolio goals.

Benjamin Marolda, global chief operating officer at Advanta Seeds, highlighted the broader implications of the acquisition: “We already have a strong leadership position in sub-tropical and tropical corn. Adding temperate genetics unlocks new innovation opportunities and allows us to provide even more productive solutions to farmers around the world.”

George Dragan, head of Europe at Advanta Seeds, emphasized the regional impact of the acquisition: “This is a major milestone for our European operations. We are excited to expand our regional corn offerings and bring innovative solutions to farmers who already rely on our sunflower and sorghum hybrids.”

Through this acquisition, Advanta Seeds reinforces its commitment to improving agricultural productivity and sustainability with advanced seed technologies and a farmer-first approach.

Advanta is a global leader in the seed industry, committed to sustainable agriculture and advancing farmer prosperity through high-quality hybrid seeds. Operating in more than 80 countries, Advanta delivers innovative seed technologies designed to tackle climate challenges and boost crop productivity. Its broad portfolio spans corn, sorghum, sunflower, canola, rice, and a variety of vegetables, serving both smallholder and commercial farmers across developed and developing regions on all five continents.