Tokyo, Japan
November 26, 2020
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. on 25th of November has acquired 75% of shares of Totam Seeds B.V., (“Totam”). Totam is an innovative seed company specialized in the development, production, and sales of high quality tomato seeds targeted towards active greenhouse (AGH) production. Mitsui will be partnering with the Prominent Group, the largest tomato agriculture cooperative in the Netherlands representing approximately 30% of the nation’s tomato production, to together expand Totam’s operations.
“We are thrilled to partner with Prominent. Prominent has extensive knowledge and experience in state-of-the-art tomato production and we look forward to also contributing our global business expertise and perspectives to together look at new ways to fuel innovation” – said Hitoshi Kudo, General Manager AgriScience Division of Mitsui & Co.”
Mitsui, Prominent, and Totam initiated their relationship in April 2019 and have since been engaged in conducting trials using seed varieties developed by each other.
“We believe that by combining each other’s resources, expertise, and research platform, we would be able to jointly grow and maximize the business potential of Totam,” said Fulvio Berton, Board Advisor of JVS (a joint venture between Mitsui and Japanese seed companies; Nippon Norin Seed Co., Kurume Vegetable Breeding Co., Nanto Seeds Co., and Matsui Seeds Co.), and newly appointed CEO of Totam. “I am very excited and looking forward to being actively involved in this project. This combined effort will provide tremendous value to the tomato producers throughout the world.”
About Mitsui & Co.
Mitsui & Co. Ltd is a global conglomerate engaged in trading and investment activities. It has 16 business units, including the Nutrition and Agriculture Business Unit. Among its diverse business operations, Mitsui develops new hybrid seeds through its portfolio companies including Top Seeds International and Japan Vegetable Seeds.
https://www.mitsui.com/jp/en/company/business/units/na/index.html
About Prominent
Founded in 1995, Prominent is an innovative specialist in tomatoes the 29 Prominent growers produce top tomato varieties all year round. They work together in packaging and develop knowledge to share, for example in the areas of cultivation, crop protection and energy. Cooperative Growers United is responsible for the sales, marketing and quality control of the tomatoes of the product.
https://www.prominent-tomatoes.nl/en/verhaal/
About Totam
Founded in 2010, Totam Seeds is a young and innovative seed breeding company of tomato seeds for active greenhouse cultivation. The varieties of Totam Seeds focus on the values of the grower and market demand with attention to people and the environment.
https://www.totamseeds.nl/en/home-2/
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