Companhia Das Lezirias, SA

Companhia das Lezírias is the largest agricultural and forestry operation in Portugal, comprising Lezíria de Vila Franca de Xira, Charneca do Infantado, Catapereiro and Pauis (Magos, Belmonte and Lavouras).

Lezíria is located between the Tagus and Sorraia rivers and is divided by Reta do Cabo (EN 10 between Vila Franca de Xira and Porto Alto) into Lezíria Norte and Lezíria Sul.

Lezíria Norte consists of around 1,300 hectares that are indirectly exploited (renters). As for Lezíria Sul, it occupies close to 5,000 hectares, of which around 2,600 ha are leased and 2,200 ha are exploited directly by CL, with almost 1,900 ha for pasture and around 320 ha for rice. Rice is also grown in Pauis de Magos, Belmonte and Lavouras, but only the latter, with an area of 240 ha, is directly exploited. In total, the area allocated to rice cultivation on CL soil is around 1500 ha.

With regard to direct exploration, the Company also carries out, in Catapereiro, an average of 250 ha of corn (under pivot), 140 ha of vineyards and 70 ha of olive groves, and 3050 ha of biodiverse permanent meadows, in Charneca. Charneca do Infantado and Pauis make up an area of around 11,500 hectares.

Companhia das Lezírias went through several transformations throughout its existence, being nationalized in 1975 and becoming, in 1989, the Joint Stock Company with exclusively public capital.

Since 1997, Companhia das Lezírias has been consolidating its situation, both from a technological and financial point of view, based on a philosophy of sustained development.

As of August 2, 2013, Companhia das Lezírias began to manage the Alter Stud and the National Stud, as determined by DL 109/2013 of August 1, amended by DL 171/2014 of November 10.