Monsanto and Dole Combine Strengths in New Collaboration to Bring Innovations to Vegetables

ST. LOUIS and MONTEREY, Calif., June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced today it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc., to develop new products that will enhance consumer vegetable choices.

The five-year collaboration will focus on broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce and spinach. Plant breeding will be used to improve the nutrition, flavor, color, texture, taste and aroma of these vegetables. Any new products realized from this collaboration could be commercialized by Dole in North America.

"The consumer wins because Dole's market knowledge combined with our research and development capabilities will help bring new healthy and flavorful products to consumers," said David Stark, vice president of consumer traits at Monsanto. "We are very excited and pleased to bring this focus to our business via this collaboration with Dole and its strong brand."

"Dole prides itself on innovation and bringing consumers high quality, nutritious, and great-tasting products," said Roger Billingsley, senior vice president of research & development for Dole Fresh Vegetables. "We are looking forward to collaborating closely with Monsanto to do just that."

This type of collaboration combines the strengths of the two industry leaders, each bringing their unique capabilities to the partnership. Monsanto's agricultural expertise that improves the speed and accuracy of new and beneficial characteristics will be guided by Dole's knowledge of consumer needs and marketing.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit: www.monsanto.com.

About Dole

Dole, with 2008 net revenues of $7.6 billion, is the world's largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, and is the leading producer of organic bananas. Dole markets a growing line of packaged and frozen foods and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, such as statements concerning the company's future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company's actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: the success of the companies' research and development activities; the costs of and the companies' abilities to access and enforce intellectual property needed for the collaboration; the costs and requirements of regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received; public acceptance of biotechnology products; and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent periodic report to the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this presentation. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.

    Contact   Riddhi Trivedi-St. Clair, Monsanto (314-694-4490)
              William Goldfield, Dole (818-874-4647)

SOURCE Monsanto Company