As part of its international growth strategy, seed specialist KWS opened its new
research and breeding station for vegetables in Uberlândia, located in the western part
of the Minas Gerais state in Brazil. The team will focus on breeding for tomato, melon
and watermelon. The location has been inaugurated with an official ceremony.
The approximately 100 visitors were welcomed by Ailton Ribeiro, Head of Breeding Latin
America at KWS Vegetables, who officially opened the inauguration with a presentation, toast
and cutting of the ribbon. Afterwards, everyone was able to get an overview of the new
breeding station and several varieties in the field on a tour.
The 13-hectare sized location includes warehouses, offices, 3,800 square meters of
greenhouses and 7 hectare of open field area. The team of around 60 people consists of
research experts, breeders and a farm team. For the next couple of years, it is planned to add
some greenhouse area for phytopathology activities as well.
“This station will be the main hub for our activities for the Brazilian and South American
vegetables market where we expect to develop new varieties and hybrids that are well adapted
to tropical and subtropical conditions, attending an increasing demand for vegetables with
better quality, higher yielding and resistance to the main pests and diseases”, says Ailton
Ribeiro, Head of Breeding Latin America at KWS Vegetables.
“This new investment from KWS in Uberlândia combines experience and innovation with a
long-term goal for delivering added value with our varieties to this tropical and subtropical
country with its challenging conditions”, adds Eduardo Albonico, National Sales Manager
Brazil for KWS Vegetables.
In Brazil, in addition to the site in Uberlândia, KWS Vegetables has an office building in
Campinas and breeding activities in Petrolina. Petrolina is located in the northeastern region
of Brazil. This is an important area for melon, serving the domestic and export markets in the
US and Europe. Climate and soil conditions allow melon growing year-round at this location.
The office in Campinas mainly manages Finance, Sales and Development, and also supports
the Research Station in Uberlândia.