KWS Vegetables sells trading business of Pop Vriend Vegetable Seeds to Zasco

The two Dutch seed companies KWS Vegetables B.V., and Zasco B.V. have agreed that the Pop Vriend Vegetable Seeds trading business will be transferred to Zasco in an asset deal. This business area involves sourcing, producing and supplying a broad range of vegetable seeds that are well-adapted for use in Africa, Middle East and Central Asia, predominantly high-quality open pollinated (OP) seeds.

Pop Vriend Vegetable Seeds is a main player in this segment in these regions and offers a broad portfolio of open-pollinated seeds, including Broccoli, Eggplant, Lettuce and Okra amongst others. Sales are in the mid-single-digit million range.

"In expanding our vegetable seed business, we are focusing on developing and selling high performing varieties for nine vegetables, namely tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, melons, watermelons, spinach, beans, red beet and chard with a geographical focus on Southern Europe, Asia and Latin America. This is why we decided to sell the Pop Vriend Vegetable Seeds trading business″, Paul Degreef, Head of the Business Unit KWS Vegetables, explains. ″We are delighted that Zasco as a strong market player will now use its expertise, network and market position to further develop the OP seed business.″

"The products of Pop Vriend Vegetable Seeds are an appropriate addition to assortment and customer base in Africa and Middle East. Also the coating and canning line is a welcome addition to our service activities, says Gert-Jan de Groot, Director of Zasco. Zasco was founded in 1994 by Laurens Zwaan. The company offers a full range of OP vegetable seeds, field crops and fertilizers with a clear focus on the Mena and African countries. The acquisition was completed on 28-09-2022. The employees of Pop Vriend Vegetable Seeds will continue to work within the Pop Vriend and KWS Vegetables organization.