Monsanto SWOT Analysis
Introduction
Monsanto Company (Monsanto) is a global provider of agricultural products. The company produces seed brands in large-acre crops like corn, cotton, and oilseeds (soybeans and canola), as well as small-acre crops like vegetables. (Monsanto, 2010) It is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri and employed 18,800 people as of August 2007. (PRlog, 2008) The US is Monsanto´s major market. Monsanto also has operations abroad, covering the regions of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. The company recorded revenues of $8,563 million in the fiscal year ended August 2007, an increase of 17.4% over 2006. The operating profit of the company was $1,418 million in fiscal year 2007, an increase of 21.1% over 2006. The net profit was $993 million in fiscal year 2007, an increase of 44.1% over 2006. (PRlog, 2008)
Strengths
• It is the world's leading producer of the herbicide glyphosate, marketed as "Roundup".
• Wide range of customers from US to Asia.
• Leading producer of genetically engineered (GE)seed (Greenpeace International, 2008)
• Experienced – Been in the agricultural business since 1901.
Weaknesses
• Aggressive litigation
• Practices political lobbying ,
• Business practice considered controversial around the world
• Primary target of the alter-globalization movement and environmental activists.
• Seed patents violation by farmers
• Controversial history in India – Child labor (Venkateswarlu) & Farmers suicide (Frontline World, 2005).
• False advertizing in France (Organic Consumer Association, 2007)
Opportunities
• Cooperation with BASF - largest chemical company in the world headquartered in Germany - in research, development and marketin ...