Rallis India plans to strengthen presence abroad

MUMBAI: Tata Group company Rallis India is looking at the international markets as a key growth area. Today, the company has a presence in over 40 countries, with the US and Brazil being its largest markets.

For the financial year ended March 31, 2008, 22% of the company���s consolidated revenues of Rs 743 crore came from the overseas markets. ���For FY09, that increased to 32% (around Rs 290 crore),��� Rallis India MD & CEO, V Shankar told ET.

The company is a leading player in the crop protection industry, with a presence in pesticides, seeds and plant growth nutrients. A large part of its international business comes from pesticides. ���There are two strategic dimensions to the international business. It is a huge growth platform, and being a large player in the international arena gives us a portfolio balance,��� he added.

While Mr Shankar declined to specify on the revenue break-up between Rallis��� domestic and international businesses, he said the objective would be to grow the international pie. ���We certainly want to maintain our dominance in the domestic market,��� he said. Within the international business, Rallis also has revenues coming from the supply of speciality polymer for the aviation industry through a contract manufacturing agreement. ���In five years, that business has the potential to touch Rs 400 crore,��� said Mr Shankar.

According to him, last year was good for Indian agriculture. ���From the perspective of the international markets, crop prices changed in line with the oil prices. We see that as a temporary phenomenon, which will change in the next 12-18 months,��� he said. When queried on the way forward for Rallis over the next five years, Mr Shankar outlined it would be about consolidating its leadership position in the crop protection segment.