Heathrow, Florida-based Village Farms International has entered into an exclusive long-term partnership with Dutch seed specialist Axia Vegetable Seeds to grow and market its tomato varieties in the North American market.
Axia said the deal with one of North America’s largest producers, marketers and distributors of greenhouse fruits and vegetables would significantly raise the profile of its products in this market.
“Axia has found in Village Farms a partner who truly understands the importance of creating value with our tomato varieties by starting with the brand marketingthat is focused on the consumer and their preferences,” said Axia’s CEO Alois van Vliet.
Debi Street, Village Farms’ director of variety development and innovations, said the two companies had created a unique relationship based on exclusive agreements to the benefit of both.
“Village Farms continues to be steadfast in its efforts to search the world over for consumer-centric varieties and be first to market. The Axia partnership is the positive result of our dedication to this mission”, said Village Farms president and CEO, Michael DeGiglio.
Village Farms produces a range of fruits and vegetables in environmentally friendly, soil-less greenhouses. Its brand is marketed and distributed primarily to local retailers throughout the US and Canada.
Based in Naaldwijk, the Netherlands, Axia is an innovative breeding company which develops, produces and distributes vegetable seeds for the high-value segments of the industry and specializes in developing superior hybrids designed to meet the demand of market and consumer.
