ST. LOUIS, Aug. 6, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell its global sunflower assets to Syngenta. Under the terms of the agreement, Syngenta will purchase assets and assume liabilities of Monsanto associated with its global hybrid sunflower seed business for $160 million. The transaction will be completed pending appropriate regulatory approvals. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed. "We're pleased that Syngenta is acquiring Monsanto's global sunflower assets and will continue to provide farmers with high-quality hybrid sunflower seed," said Carl Casale, Monsanto's Executive Vice-President of Strategy and Operations. "Monsanto remains fully focused on our seeds and traits platform's core crops to fuel our company's future growth through yield and innovation." 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: http://www.monsanto.com/ . 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 Media - Danielle Stuart (314-694-2478) DATASOURCE: Monsanto Company CONTACT: Danielle Stuart of Monsanto Company, +1-314-694-2478 Web Site: http://www.monsanto.com/

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