Royal ZAP, the Cooperative Seed and Seed Potato Growers Association Anna Paulowna, acquires seed potato trading house semagri Holland BV about. The company will announce this on Tuesday 14 February. Royal ZAP is an old hand in the business, which celebrated its centenary in 2013. Semagri was founded in 2002.
During the Royal ZAP members' meeting, the members gave their approval for the takeover. The seed and seed cooperative has a total of just under 40 arable farmers - according to their website - who jointly cultivate 900 hectares of seed potatoes and 350 hectares of seed grains in the northern part of North Holland. Semagri from Lelystad comprises 400 hectares of seed potatoes, divided over ware potato and starch varieties.
With the takeover, Royal ZAP wants to expand the range of varieties. Semagri has grown in recent years within the starch potatoes segment. It also has a few ware potato varieties in its program, of which the very early Anais variety is the best known. In addition, promising varieties are under development, it states in the announcement. Nothing will change for the growers of both companies. If desired, more variation is offered in the cultivation plan.
'The staff of Semagri will also be taken over', explains Royal ZAP director Gerard de Geus. 'That gives air to the workplace. The logistics and administrative teams will be merged and the sales department will have room to expand its activities.'
Director Lammert Buwalda, owner of Semagri, has reached retirement age. He is going to take it easy and therefore was looking for a takeover candidate. All growers of both companies will be notified of the takeover this week. For now, both company names will be kept.
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