Source: AgriLife Today
Proposed mergers by the world’s leading biotechnology firms would result in steep price increases farmers pay for cottonseed and small increases in corn and soybean seed, potentially leading to increased consumer prices for food and fiber, according to a study by the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University.
“The study examined the effects of the proposed mergers on seed only,” Dr. Henry Bryant said.
The results suggest reason for concern, particularly in the pricing of cottonseed, where prices could jump as much as 18.2 percent. The Monsanto-Bayer merger would also give a combined 70 percent of the market for cottonseed.
Corn could see an expected seed price increase of 2.3 percent, followed by soybean seed price increase of 1.9 percent, the study noted.
Agricultural & Food Policy Center
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