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Continued Growth Proves Missouri Is The Global Leader In Agtech

  • August 22, 2019


Missouri is the global leader in agtech. That statement has never been more true as more and more companies choose Missouri as the best place to grow their business.

Recently, Bunge, a global leader in the agtech industry, announced plans to relocate its global headquarters from New York to Missouri. Bunge currently operates its North American headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.

“While St. Louis is already an important hub for Bunge and our current North American operations, the city is also home to a number of food, agriculture, animal health and plant science organizations and customers,” said Gregory Heckman, Bunge’s CEO. “Moving the global headquarters to a location where Bunge has a major business presence is a big step forward in shifting the company’s operating model to align around a more efficient, streamlined global business structure. We are grateful to have called White Plains home for many years, and now look forward to the new growth and development opportunities which our expanded St. Louis presence will allow.”

The company is just one of many in the agtech industry that have decided to grow in Missouri.

In July, Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced that Bayer’s North American Crop Science Division was relocating 500 new, high-paying jobs to Creve Coeur, Missouri. The announcement came nearly three years after Bayer announced its $66 billion acquisition of Missouri-based Monsanto.

“We are honored that a global company like Bayer has chosen to grow its presence here in our state,” said Governor Parson. “As you know, agriculture plays a critical role in our economy, and Bayer’s investment will only enhance Missouri’s strengths in the agricultural technology sector. We look forward to working together as we continue to grow and expand the industry.”

And if that’s not proof enough of Missouri’s global leadership in agtech, then take a look at the USDA’s recent decision to relocate both the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) headquarters to the Kansas City region, bringing 568 new jobs with it.

Additional agtech companies expanding in Missouri in 2019 include Cosmos Corporation, GESS International, Benson Hill Biosystems, Scollar Inc., and Boehringer Ingelheim, just to name a few.

So what makes Missouri such a hotbed for agtech excellence?

Missouri’s agtech industry is leading the way with innovative technology and research that is transforming agriculture. Across Missouri leading agtech organizations, including the Danforth Plant Science Center, Bayer CropScience, the Missouri Botanical Garden, Yield Lab, DuPont, BASF, Bunge and more are developing innovative technology that is transforming agriculture.

Meanwhile, Missouri’s new agtech innovation community 39 North is taking root in St. Louis. The district covers nearly 600 acres in Missouri and includes many of the region’s top agtech companies including the Danforth Plant Science Center, Bio-Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park and the Helix Center Biotech Incubator. 39 North is geared toward providing the lifestyle often sought by today’s highly skilled scientific workers, with a mix of retail, residential and office space connected by walking and biking trails.

“39 North is an extension of Dr. Danforth’s vision to make St. Louis a world center for plant science and innovation,” said Sam Fiorello, COO, Danforth Center and President of BRDG Park. “By connecting regional assets, improving mobility, creating additional green space and development opportunities, we will enhance our ability to grow, attract, and retain ag-centric companies and top scientific talent.”

The use of drones, satellites, and data is transforming farming as we know it. Missouri companies, like Climate Corporation, are leading the way in investment and innovation in advanced farming. Big data, smart farming, input optimization, precision ag, prescription ag, biologicals, breeding, green chemistry, green pharmaceuticals – it’s all growing right here.

And it’s not just technology that makes Missouri the global agtech leader, it’s also our world-class talent. Universities across the state offer advanced plant science degrees, and Missouri is home to the highest concentration of plant science PhD’s in the world.

All of this adds up to making Missouri THE global leader in agtech. Are you ready to grow here?

For more information on why Missouri could be a prime location to launch or grow your business, contact Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership, at 314.932.3973 or via our contact form. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have, and show you how Missouri Partnership can help with your business expansion, collaboration, and investment needs.

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