Sakata acquires Sana Seeds

Sakata Vegetables Europe, part of Japan’s Sakata Seed Corporation, has acquired Sana Seeds, a Dutch company specialised in breeding, production and sale of high-quality cucumber varieties.

The deal marks Sakata’s move into the high-value Dutch cucumber segment. Together with its 2017 acquisition of a Jordanian company specialised in Beit Alpha cucumbers, Sakata is strengthening its position in the global cucumber markets and continues to develop a broad crop portfolio.

Sakata’s collaboration with Sana Seeds began several years ago with the former marketing two high-performance cucumbers: Dorian, a product grown in unheated greenhouses, with a high yield and adapted to high temperatures; and Izal, presenting a very open plant structure and an excellent fruit quality throughout the cycle.

“This acquisition is in line with Sakata’s strategy of always investing in innovation with a long-term approach,” said Basile de Bary, CEO of Sakata EMEA. “Our partnership with Sana Seeds has been closer and closer over time. It led, naturally, to Sana Seeds and Sakata joining forces today.”

At operational level, two of the four Sana Seeds shareholders are joining Sakata’s breeding teams. They will be based in Spain at Sakata’s Almeria station.

Frederik Gerrits, managing director of Sana Seeds, commented: “Sana Seeds will have access to a largescale sales network and solid facilities in terms of research, production and marketing. It will be a pleasure to see the range we have developed take on a bigger scope”.