The U.S. seeds producer Monsanto is in talks with the Chinese Sinochem (中化)to “significantly” strengthen its ties with the company. The negotiations could lead to the creation of a joint venture or a marketing agreement.
Discussions between the two companies have been difficult, since they touch on policy issues for China, including food independence. Sinochem is the largest importer and distributor of fertilizers in China. It is also a major producer of seeds.
Monsanto is already associated with Sinochem in 2001 in a company producing maize seed, but it was a minority in capital. The American had injected an additional $84 million in 2008.