Cora Seeds acquires KWS onion and pumpkin programs

The Italian company Cora Seeds has acquired the onion and pumpkin programs of the KWS Group, a 160-year-old company specializing in researching and producing seeds for various crops.

KWS Group has reported a turnover of more than €1.5 billion and more than 5,100 employees worldwide.

"The acquisition of breeding programs and commercial varieties is a strategic operation for us," said Maurizio Bacchi, CEO of Cora Seeds. ″It allows us to enrich the genetic material of the onion, the first crop and flagship of the company that has been a leader in several international markets. Now it will be possible to further drive research and innovation to offer growers increasingly effective varieties and meet market needs,″ he stated.

″Our product range, for example, now includes the long-day white onion Quarzo F1, a variety prized for its regular shape, bright white color, and good shelf life. Quartz F1 has a vigorous plant with erect and healthy leaf apparatus and a round, uniform and well covered bulb. It also has good tolerance to green coloration; furthermore, the quality of its color does not change during storage,″ he added.

This operation also confirms Cora Seeds' willingness to invest in developing pumpkins. ″We will integrate the product portfolio acquired from KWS with our own. Our goal is to reach a broader and deeper offer for the main pumpkin markets in the world,″ Bacchi said in conclusion.

″Improving our genetics is important to accelerate varietal innovation. Our team will soon be strengthened by adding a new breeder who will focus on pumpkin, as we believe this crop may represent further growth potential for Cora Seeds."