Monsanto Company Accelerates Share Repurchase Program

ST. LOUIS, April 19, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) is accelerating its $800 million share repurchase program as part of its commitment to create value for its shareowners, the company announced today.

Monsanto plans to spend the remaining $276 million to complete the authorization this fiscal year, more than a full year ahead of its original plan, which was scheduled to end in December 2011.  The company expects most of the repurchases to occur this week.

"Our company's strong cash flow has enabled us to pull our planned share repurchase forward, and we think the time is right to complete this authorization," said Chief Financial Officer Carl Casale. "We see strong opportunities ahead for our business and view this as part of our commitment to delivering cash to shareowners -- whether through share repurchases or dividends."

Earlier this month, as part of the company's second-quarter earnings announcement, Monsanto executives said the company is positioned for earnings growth in the mid-teen percentages beyond the current fiscal year.  The company also said it is working on a revitalized product strategy that will enable it to deliver more innovative products on farm, which will equip its farmer customers with more choices to benefit from the premium opportunity the company's products create and be more profitable as a result.

As of the end of the second quarter, the current $800 million share repurchase program was approximately half completed.

The share repurchase program was announced in April 2008 and began in December of that year, following the completion of a previous $800 million share repurchase program.

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. Follow our business on Twitter® at www.twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on Facebook® at www.facebook.com/MonsantoCo, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements contained in this release are "forward-looking statements," such as statements concerning the company's anticipated financial results, current and 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: continued competition in seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the company's exposure to various contingencies, including those related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received, and public acceptance of biotechnology products; the success of the company's research and development activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits; developments related to foreign currencies and economies; successful operation of recent acquisitions; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with regulations affecting our manufacturing; the accuracy of the company's estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the company's ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather conditions, natural disasters and accidents on the agriculture business or the company's facilities; and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent Form 10-K 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 release. 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 -- Kelli  Powers (314-694-4003)

SOURCE Monsanto Company

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