The Netherlands-based true potato seed firm Solynta and Pieterpik, one of Europe’s top seed suppliers to the home garden seed market, inked an agreement that will allow Solynta’s true potato seeds to be sold and distributed to garden stores throughout the European Union (EU).

“By joining forces, the companies will work together to supply garden seeds intended for the consumer market throughout the EU. This will allow home gardeners to grow new hybrid potatoes from quality true potato seeds. With hybrid true potato seeds produced through Solynta’s non-GMO breeding technology, home gardeners can grow the latest potato varieties from true potato seeds,” a recent company announcement reveals.

Pieterpik is permitted by the agreement to market and distribute several Solynta’s True Potato Seed types to the EU home garden market. In the EU, the seeds will be sold as true potato seeds in pictorial seed sachets under Pieterpik’s brands. Other packaging businesses will also purchase the seeds in bulk. Pieterpik is a top supplier of seeds to big businesses like supermarkets, do-it-yourself shops, and garden centers. From January 28 to 31, Pieterpik showcased the authentic potato seeds at IPM, the premier horticulture trade fair in the world, held in Essen, Germany.

“Potato seeds are the very latest addition to our assortment of seeds. We see great potential in hybrid true potato seeds. It’s a new, exciting way to grow delicious potatoes in your garden, just like any other vegetable grown from seed. Therefore, true potato seeds fit perfectly in our current vegetable seed portfolio. Besides the fact that it is very fulfilling to be able to harvest your table potatoes from your backyard, consumers can also enjoy their great ornamental value. Depending on the variety of potato seeds, they will have purple or white flowers that will perk up every backyard or balcony. We are excited to introduce these new products to our customers around Europe,” Bas Doorten, Managing Director of Pieterpik, mentioned.

“At Solynta, we are rapidly expanding our commercial activities around the world. Our primary focus is on adding new, robust varieties to the professional market and open-field application by potato growers. This collaboration allows us to introduce our innovation in the consumer market. Pieterpik has over 120 years of experience in this specific market. We feel it is a great opportunity for home growers to enjoy our hybrid potato innovation in their gardens. From now on, everyone can grow their potatoes from true seeds and enjoy eating the fruits of their efforts!” Xarain van Os, Business Development Manager of Solynta, added.

True potato seeds are produced in Solynta’s greenhouses in The Netherlands, where new, robust potato varieties are bred through natural (non-GMO) hybrid breeding technology. This breeding method and its seeds are revolutionary and have the potential to transform the entire potato industry.

The ability to grow potato crops from true potato seeds instead of from seed tubers offers significant advantages. True potato seeds are clean and disease-free, offering many advantages to the traditional starting materials used in professional potato growing. True potato seed production can be rapidly scaled up and are available year-round. The seeds have a shelf life of many years, are much smaller, and economically efficient to transport and store. Through hybrid breeding, true potato seeds can also be bred with additional beneficial traits, including disease resistance and climate resilience.