AgraQuest, new expansion strategies in EU and the Med region

At Fruitlogistica 2012, the company announced new plans for its greater expansion into Europe and the Mediterranean Region.
 
Currently, AgraQuest’s best-known product, Serenade fungicide, is widely used throughout Italy, France, Morrocco, Israel, and about 30 other countries, usually in combination with synthetic pesticides in order to lower the chemical content, lower residue levels and increase worker safety.

At Fruitlogistica, AgraQuest managing director for Europe, Africa and the MiddleEast Region, Thierry Merckling (pictured), said the company expects to have Serenade registered this year in Spain, Greece, and Portugal .
 
Additionally, AgraQuest announced that applications have been submitted with the EU’s Annex I for the registration of two new products, Sonata Biofungicides and Requiem Bioinsecticides , both of which have been used successfully to increase yields and worker safety throughout the United States and Canada.
 
AgraQuest also announced a new Agreement with DuPont for the development and distribution of a new ‘low-chem’ biopesticide for oilseed rape  based on AgraQuest’s patented microbial active ingredient Bacillus pumilus QST 2808 combined with DuPont’s own active ingredient. Initially, this new product will be distributed in France.
 
AgraQuest is a relatively small biotechnology company, so they have teamed up with much larger companies to achieve the registration and distribution of their biopesticide  products. For example, BASF is the distributor of Serenade Biofungicide throughout the Mediterranean Region, and everywhere else outside of North America. AgraQuest has also partnered with Bayer Crop Science to introduce their biopesticide active ingredient to European Home and Garden markets through the Natria product line.
 
Acceptance and use of AgraQuest biopesticides is increasing rapidly, as the Company is reporting average annual sales increases of 30%, as it adds to its product registrations throughout the world. In October of 2011 , the company doubled the size of its R & D facilities in Davis, California to accommodate its  explosive growth, which has included the hiring of approximately 40 scientists over the past few years and the testing of about 20 potential new biopesticide products.

AgraQuest plans to launch one new biopesticide product each year over the next five years.