S&W Completes Construction Phase of New Australian Packaging Facility

KEITH, Australia and FRESNO, Calif., Sept. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- S&W Seed Company SANW today announced the completion of the construction phase of a new seed packaging facility located in Keith, South Australia, the heart of the alfalfa seed production area of Australia. The state-of-the-art facility will allow S&W to meet the growth of the company's expanding seed production capabilities in the country, including the continued introduction of the company's elite, proprietary varieties.

Dennis Jury, chief operating officer of S&W Seed Company, commented, "S&W is looking to dramatically expand the contracted production of both its Australian-based and U.S.-based varieties in Australia. The expanded capabilities of the facility will allow for a reduction in handling and packaging costs, which should provide an opportunity for expanded gross margins in future periods, as well as more efficient processing of seed orders to meet our expanding customer base around the world. Additionally, the facility will support our program of delivering end-to-end solutions, including seed treatments and enhancements. We look forward to working with growers throughout Australia to expand the market for contracted alfalfa seed production in the years to come."

Mark Grewal, chief executive officer of S&W Seed Company, commented, "Australia is critical to our long-term plans to meet the global needs for expanded alfalfa seed production. The growers in Australia are some of the best in the world at producing high-quality seed, and the ability to partner with them through a new state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the alfalfa seed region will only strengthen this partnership. We are excited for the future opportunities of S&W in Australia."

The Company expects the facility to be operational by the end of 2015, well ahead of the 2016 harvest and shipping periods. Key to the success of the facility was a grant from the South Australian Government in support of regional development received by S&W's Australian-based subsidiary, Seed Genetics International Pty Ltd., as well as building and equipment financing provided by National Australia Bank.

About S&W Seed Company

Founded in 1980, S&W Seed Company is a global agricultural company, headquartered in Fresno, California. The Company's vision is to be the world's preferred proprietary seed company which supplies a range of forage and specialty crop products that supports the growing global demand for animal proteins and healthier consumer diets. The Company is the global leader in alfalfa seed, with unrivaled research and development, production and distribution capabilities. S&W's capabilities span the world's alfalfa seed production regions with operations in the San Joaquin and Imperial Valleys of California, five other U.S. states, Australia and three provinces in Canada, and S&W sells its seed products in more than 25 countries around the globe. Additionally, the Company is utilizing its research and breeding expertise to develop and produce stevia, the all-natural, zero calorie sweetener for the food and beverage industry. For more information, please visit www.swseedco.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may," "future," "plan" or "planned," "will" or "should," "expected," "anticipates," "draft," "eventually" or "projected." You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and other risks identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, our Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on January 30, 2015 and any amendment or supplements thereto, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended March 31, 2015, and in other filings subsequently made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not have an obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE S&W Seed Company