Biobest steps up presence in Portugal

The acquisition will allow enhanced access to Biobest's technical expertise, product portfolio and optimized logistics. Biobest will also invest additional resources to strengthen the Agronologica organization. Biobest Sistemas SLU based in Almeria will cooperate closely with Agronologica and provide key management support. A name change to Biobest Portugal will take place reflecting the strong integration of activities between Agronologica Lda and Biobest.

Jordi Portoles Peramo, Managing Director of Biobest Sistemas SLU, said: "I am pleased to announce this transaction which allows Biobest to better serve the needs of the rapidly growing horticultural sector in Portugal. José together with his team members have a strong local network and are much appreciated by growers for the quality of their technical advice. We value the work done by them to develop the use of biocontrol and to establish the Biobest brand in Portugal. With this acquisition, we make a transition from an arm's length cooperation with a distributor to a fully integrated local operation with seamless logistics. We will provide management services and provide strong support to the team in Portugal. I am sure they will benefit a lot from Biobest's expertise across the world to further upgrade their service to growers. The name change to Biobest Portugal will be a testimony to the growers that they can count fully on the highest standards of reliability, quality and service."

José Vanzeler de Melo, founder of Agronologica Unip. Lda, comments: "My company has a long standing collaboration with Biobest and I am happy to see this relationship strengthened with Biobest now as the sole shareholder. My passion is to contribute to sustainable horticulture in Portugal by increasing the use of biological control and by delivering superior solutions and outstanding service to our growers. The new context with Biobest ownership and commitment to invest creates plenty of opportunity to strengthen and develop our organization. I and other Agronologica team members, we are all happy to become part of a bigger organization with worldwide reach. We see ample opportunity to build on the synergies between Biobest operations in Portugal and Spain to deliver an even better service to Portuguese growers."

For more information, please contact Biobest Group NV (lise.verachtert@biobestgroup.com), Biobest Sistemas SLU. (Jordi.Portoles@biobestgroup.com) or Agronologica Unip. Lda. (jose.melo@agronologica.pt).

Source: HortiBiz