Fall Creek’s former Sekoya general manager expected to drive development of supplier’s production base, with an emphasis on new varieties
US-based berry and cherry supplier Agrovision has appointed Holger Brandt as its managing director for strategic partnerships.
Brandt was previously general manager of the Sekoya blueberry programme at Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, a major supplier of blueberry plants and developer of new varieties.
According to Agrovision, Brandt’s “extensive experience and proven leadership” in the blueberry and fruit genetics industry will be a major asset as it looks to “reshape the superfruit market through cutting-edge innovation and strategic global partnerships”.
Brandt’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Agrovision, as the company intensifies its efforts to build strong relationships with consumers and retailers, bolstered by a recent US$100m equity financing round that valued the company at over US$1 billion.
Its premium blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cherries are sold by several major retail chains worldwide under the Fruitist and Big Skye brands.
Brandt is expected to lead the company’s innovation initiatives and strengthen partnerships across genetics, production for premium supply continuity, and product development.
Steve Magami, Agrovision’s co-founder and CEO, stated: “Holger is a globally recognised expert in the industry. His focus on strengthening innovation in genetics and further expanding our global production will solidify a key pillar of our value proposition, ensuring our continued growth and leadership in the industry.”
At Fall Creek, Brandt has been a key part of Sekoya’s transformation into one of the fruit industry’s fastest-growing genetic initiatives, and has helped a number of third-party producers – including Agrovision – to develop high-quality, year-round blueberry supply using Sekoya’s Livie varieties.
Brandt said he was excited to bring his experience to Agrovision’s rapidly growing platform. ”Agrovision was a key partner to Sekoya in the commercialisation of its new varietals to consumers globally from the start, and I have been working very closely with the team since then,” he commented.
”I am truly honored by the confidence and trust placed in me with this position. Now is a time of tremendous opportunity for Agrovision as it scales its leadership in premium blueberries, and begins to replicate its success in blueberries across the produce aisle, and I look forward to helping to drive Agrovision’s success forward.”
Brandt will be based in Valencia, Spain, and report to Magami and executive director Juan Pablo Spoerer.
