NL: Eminent Seeds takes over Tinkerbell from Seminis

Dutch breeding company Eminent Seeds has taken over the Tinkerbell, a baby pepper brand formerly belonging to Seminis. Both the name and the seed stock are now in the hands of the breeder. Jan van Heijningen of Eminent Seeds says that attempts are made to prevent further attenuation of the land. "Large seed companies usually focus on bulk breeds. We go for smaller breeds."

Jan van Heijningen shows the new logo

"Tinkerbell is too small for a big company like Seminis," says Jan van Heijningen about the acquisition of the Baby Paprika. "The required minimum turnover is not easily achieved with this product. If a company wants to write off a specific variety, we see it as a great opportunity to pick it up." Van Heijningen not only tries to avert impoverishment of the land, but also sees opportunities to expand the variety under the flag of Eminent Seeds . "Growers of specialties generally make a conscious choice. They are unhappy with mass cultivation and don’t necessarily go for the highest production at the lowest cost. Some of them have already entered the pot plants business, others are specializing."

The acquisition coincides with a shift in focus. Until recently Eminent Seeds also supplied amateur growers. Now the company is heading entirely for the professional market. Van Heijningen: "The initial idea was to serve two markets. But our shop was essentially too professional for the regular hobbyist. And the professional grower contacted us anyway. So we did away with the store." Now the breeder dedicates himself exclusively to the professional market.

For 2013, the company has ambitious plans. Not only do they want to meet the GSPP requirements by the second half of the year, Eminent Seeds also wants to visit its major customers personally to see how cultivation is coming along. That intention entails trips to Spain, Canada, Mexico and even Hawaii. "The Mexicans have varieties similar to the Spanish,” says Van Heijningen. "In Spain, they have learned a lot about how to cultivate specialties. In Asia, we’re not doing much. Last year we attended the Asia Fruit Logistica, but that won’t happen in the coming years. That market needs to develop a little more before it’s ready for specialties. That will take at least a decade or so."

For more information:

Eminent Seeds

ABC Westland 118

2685 DB Poeldijk

The Netherlands

T: 0031 174 445577

F: 0174 445579

E: info@eminentseeds.nl