Fenix seeds: 10 years of research, development and consulting

The meeting of the technical and commercial Italian network of Fenix took place from the 26th to the 28th of January at the prestigious Eremo della Giubiliana Hotel in Ragusa, Sicily, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Sicilian seed company. The three-day event consisted of meetings and visits on the field. During these, the company’s achievements were analyzed, short and long-term strategies were outlined, and commercial and developing varieties about to be launched were shown, in addition to a brief overview of the company’s history.

During the 3 days of meetings, many companies were visited where commercial and under development products were shown

Fenix was born in 2012 from the experience and professionalism of Francesco Loprevite and Ivana Marchese who decided to combine their skills after many years of teamwork in key roles for a leading Italian seed company. 

The company’s name and logo recall the Arab phoenix myth. That’s not random: the mythical creature rises from its own ashes after death, just like Belpasso, which suffered several eruptions during the centuries. At the feet of the Etna volcano, you can indeed find the company's location. 

The Fenix team in front of the historic structure. Click here to enlarge.

In the same way, the wish of Fenix’ founders is to give birth to an ambitious project, by using their previous and precious experience and the working network they built during the years, which is composed of professionals and companies highly specialized in the genetic improvement of professional vegetables.

"10 years passed, and we want to consider this achievement as the starting point from which we want to move on the many on-development projects that will characterize the next seasons," says Ivana Marchese, Fenix’s CEO, and general sales manager.

Tomato exhibition featuring Fenix's main products was a point of discussion for those in attendance

The company, which has always outlined increasingly growing trends, arrives at the end of the ninth year of activity with a 55% turnover increase and an even higher projection for the tenth year. This is the fruit of a group of research and investments projects on tomatoes, basil, and rootstocks to which the company is adding new species like onion, sweet pepper, and zucchini. For this occasion, a tomato exhibition was set up including the new varieties which were then shown on the field directly. 

Between the biggest news, the focus is on the new mini plum FX 1597 F1, suitable for the overwinter transplants starting from October and forward in Sicily, the Ox heart FX 1459 F1, which shows high homogeneity of size on the different stages, the full resistance elongated FX 1662 F1 and the highest quality zucchini 2056. These are the items that Fenix will bring to the market during the next months. 

A moment of the meeting held in Ragusa

Friendly and funny moments weren’t missed, as well as the presence of a special guest, Roberto Lipari, an Italian comedian, who was specifically invited for the ending gala night. Today, Fenix brand is widespread in the Italian territory, where the company is present with its technical and sales network, but even abroad thanks to the direct development work and the cooperation established with certain distributors.

In addition to the main facility, five years ago the company unveiled an experimental base in Pachino (Syracuse), on GPI soil, where it makes several varieties screenings, bringing forward an important part of the research for the Mediterranean area. An agronomists team refines the growing techniques of the varieties in order to being able to supply the proper support that is necessary to achieve the success of the crops to the farmers and its own distributors network. 

In fact, Sicily represents a unique place for the selection of the most precious and refined vegetable material. The strong winter temperatures excursions together with the exceptional hot summer, the salinity of water and the strong selective pressure exerted by the different pathogens, make this region a difficult test bench that can be passed only by the highly performant and rustic varieties able to adapt to the different growing conditions.

A surprise for all the guests of the Fenix meeting, the presence of the famous Italian comedian artist, Roberto Lipari

"Research and selection have always been the core of Fenix’ life. Thanks to a strong protocol we built and refined during the years, we brought into the market many varieties characterized by the highest genetic value like the mini plum tomatoes Miele F1 and Kendall F1, which led Fenix between the top players of the Italian tomato market and not only that, fusarium and downy mildew resistant hybrids of basil and new concepts like intraspecific hybrids rootstocks for an easier management of the top-graft and better quality of the final product" says Francesco Loprevite, Fenix’ co-founder and R&D manager.

Fenix’ strategy has always been based on working through and with a team that is passionate with agriculture, sharing the company’s values, the respect for the people and the environment and team-work. Today, the team has grown and it’s looking also beyond national borders. During the recent years in fact, the company based in Catania has been able to establish relationships in 40 UE and extra-UE countries.

In addition to the daily activities, Fenix has supported social local projects and NGOs like Save the Children, together with sport team activities like rugby: which is expression of discipline, tenacity, strength and big achievements that can only be reached through sacrifice and collective effort rather than individual one. This is the essence of Fenix, these are the first 10 years.