Significant progress in SA 2013 maize crop season

RNS Number : 1343M

Plant Health Care PLC

13 September 2012

 



13 September 2012

Plant Health Care plc

("Plant Health Care" or "the Company")

Significant increase in hectares being treated in the SA 2013 maize crop season

Plant Health Care plc, a leading provider of novel patent protected biological products to the global agriculture markets, is pleased to announce that Insect Science, Ltd ("Insect Science"), its South African distributor for Harpin and Myconate, has reported significant progress with its Harpin foliar and Myconate seed treatment programmes for the 2013 maize crop season.

In 2013, its second crop season, Insect Science is increasing the number of maize crop hectares it plans to treat with its foliar Harpin product by 567% to 100,000 hectares, or 4.5% of the total South African maize crop (2012: 15,000 hectares). Additionally it plans to increase the number of hectares treated with its Myconate seed treatment by 200% to 60,000 hectares or 2.7% of the total South African maize crop (2012: 20,000 hectares).

John Brady, CEO of Plant Health Care, commented: "Insect Science has made substantial progress into our target market of foliar applied Harpin as well as seed treated with Myconate.  In only its second year of the programme they have achieved significant market penetration in the very important maize crop in South Africa. We believe, based on very successful historical maize crop yield increases of approximately 6.5%, that we will continue to experience significant growth in the coming years."

Charlie Bender, Marketing and Product Development Director of Insect Science, Ltd commented: "We are very pleased with the rapid growth we are experiencing with the Plant Health Care products. A significant portion of South African potatoes and pears crops are already treated with these products and we anticipate a similar growth pattern in the maize crop as well. Farmers have seen strong yield increases with this programme which has significantly enhanced their bottom lines."

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About Plant Health Care plc: Plant Health Care plc ("Plant Health Care") is a leading provider of novel patent protected biological products to the global agriculture markets.  The Company's ordinary shares have been quoted on the Alternative Investment Market ("AIM") of the London Stock Exchange since July 2004 and listed on the Official List of the Channel Islands Stock Exchange ("CISX") since February 2010 (ticker symbol/ mnemonic: PHC).

Further information is available at: www.planthealthcare.com.

 For further information, please contact:

Plant Health Care plc
John Brady, Chief Executive Officer	Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]
Stephen Weaver, Finance Director	Tel: [phone] x151
[e-mail]
Nomura Code Securities	Tel: [phone]
Clare Terlouw / Chris Golden
www.nomuracode.com
Powerscourt	Tel: [phone]
Paul Durman / Nick Dibden
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

 

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