Organic at the Asia Fruit Logistica

Successful organic cropping starts with top quality organically produced seeds. At the Asia Fruit Logistica Enza Zaden therefore focuses on Organic. “Vitalis Organic Seeds, a subsidiary of Enza Zaden, is the global leader in organic seed production and breeding,” says Produce Chain Manager Chris Groot. “Organic seed sales through the Vitalis brand is the fastest growing product segment within Enza Zaden. Organic markets are booming worldwide.”

Quality

All varieties are thoroughly screened at the Vitalis research stations worldwide to provide quality seed that is healthy and germinates well. But quality means more than that. Disease resistance, taste and presentation for instance. “We only breed and select the varieties having the highest resistance levels. And as the ultimate consumer looks for tasty products we make crossings with hundreds of lines to find the combinations that stand out in taste and presentation.”

Combining expertise and experience

Groot stresses the importance of the varieties being adapted to the organic growing systems of today. “Combining Enza Zaden's expertise in breeding and seed technology with Vitalis’ experience in selection under organic circumstances and organic seed production, cleaning and sorting, results in first-class products. This makes Vitalis the best choice for the organic professional vegetable grower. We’d like to show this to the visitors of the fair and talk about this in person.”

Vitalis Organic Seeds

“ ‘Creating an organic world’ is the mission of Vitalis”, explains Maarten Vrensen, Sales Manager at Vitalis. “Vitalis is doing this by breeding and seed production of vegetable varieties that are suitable for organic growers. Strong and reliable varieties that have as much as resistance possible against pest and diseases. Varieties which are tested under organic conditions at organic growers, trial stations and the Vitalis trial field. Vitalis offers more than 320 varieties in 22 crops.”

Soil

At Vitalis the soil is an important part of the agro-ecosystem. Vrensen: “A good crop rotation, organic fertilizers, organic crop control and bio-diversity are the key principals for our seed productions and trial fields. In this way we make our contribution to an ecological environment and at the same time to the maintenance of soil fertitily. The Vitalis team is experienced in and dedicated to organic. The dedication to sustainability is also reflected in the solar panels, the electric cars and the organic catering at Vitalis.”

Worldwide produce

The Vitalis seeds go through a rigorous testing protocol for diseases, germination and purity to guarantee that the grower get the best quality possible. The seeds are produced worldwide on those places that are the most favorable for seed production. “This is how we are able to deliver high quality seeds for reasonable prices. In Europe seed productions take place in Holland, Denmark, France and Italy. Further seeds are produced in Chile, Thailand, USA and China. Long term relations are of great importance in organic seed production. With local partners Vitalis develop step by step the organic seed production. For local growers this generates a reliable source of income.”