Eden Research plc, the AIM-quoted company focused on sustainable biopesticides and plastic-free formulation technology for use in global crop protection, animal health and consumer products industries, announces that its commercial collaborator, Eastman Chemical Company, has received authorisation for the sale of Cedroz in Spain.
The approval in Spain covers both glasshouse and open field uses on tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, strawberries and melons, as well as glasshouse use on peppers and aubergine. This is Eden's second product to be authorised in Spain with Eden selling the botryticide 'Araw' for several years. Both Cedroz and Araw are based on terpene active ingredients and encapsulated by Eden's patented Sustaineâ technology.
Spain boasts both the largest area of organic farmland in the EU and is the largest producer of fruit and vegetables in the EU, making it an exciting market for Eden to participate in. The country produces circa 12.9 million tonnes of vegetables and 14.4 million tonnes of fruit annually to cater to the highest per-capita consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables in the EU. In the last decade Spanish fruit and vegetable exports have also increased by a third, with the UK a common destination for its produce.
Eden's product, Cedroz, will play a role in solving the issue of large crop losses due to nematode infestation, which globally cost the agriculture industry $80-100 billion each year. Many vegetable species are affected by nematodes and as a result, the use of nematicides on vegetable crops accounts for over 33% of global nematicide sales. As Eden has already identified in other markets, changing regulation in Spain and restriction of traditional nematicides is making way for bio-nematicides to take market share. Cedroz is a bio-nematicide that tackles root knot nematodes, a pest that causes severe damage to crops globally, both in open field and greenhouse situations. It will provide growers in Spain with a safer product with reliable efficacy and a much-needed sustainable alternative to incorporate into their crop protection programmes.
Sean Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Eden, commented: "For various reasons, including the volume of fruit and vegetables produced and the size of the organic area, Spain represents an important market in the EU for Eden. The authorisation today presents a substantial opportunity to further address the Spanish market, with our existing terpene based bio-fungicide already being sold. The country is well known around the world for its horticultural produce and is a major exporter to a number of countries, including the UK, and we look forward to working with Eastman to grow our presence in the region."
For more information:
Eden Research
www.edenresearch.com