Each vegetable seed is filled with expectations. From the time it is bred to the time it bears fruit, operators across the supply chain eagerly await a seed’s end result. Syngenta Vegetable Seeds is one company that leads in the seed breeding sector, conducting extensive research and development (R&D) in order to bring new, innovative fresh produce offerings to the market.
“Over 150 years ago, we began our pursuit of high-yield, high-performance, best-in-class products,” says Jeroen Iprenburg, Technical Sales Representative for Active Greenhouse Crops, North America. “Today, our global team of 2,300 employees, operating in over 50 countries, drives new breakthroughs and ways of working to transform and improve the agricultural industry. Our dedicated specialist teams have brought their expertise in genetics, seed technology, and value chain relationships to deliver a world-leading portfolio of 30 crop species and over 2,500 varieties of vegetable seeds.”
In partnership with farmers, Syngenta is transforming how crops are grown, harvested, processed, and consumed across the world. The company takes an innovative approach to solving industry challenges and developing new seed varieties that are resistant to disease, require fewer nutritional inputs, and have improved shelf-life. Syngenta also aims to maximize a seed’s effectiveness in order to ensure better adaptability to environmental stresses and provide higher post-harvest yield.
“By engaging in close dialogue with local growers, we have increased the variety and adaptability of seeds to local conditions and created solutions that are focused around a grower’s long-term success,” Jeroen continues. “Combined with deep roots in crop protection service; support at the local level; and a collaborative approach to customer relationships, this expertise allows us to offer valuable solutions to growers and the market.”
To ensure a lasting impact on agriculture, Syngenta is always progressing and advancing its facilities globally, including its Technology Centers in the Netherlands and Woodland, California. Syngenta heavily invests in its R&D programs and in leading-edge technology. By listening to the market and gathering insights from all links in the value chain, the company steers its R&D efforts to combine the best in seed, trait, seedcare, and crop protection offerings.
"By engaging in close dialogue with local growers, we have increased the variety and adaptability of seeds to local conditions and created solutions that are focused around a grower’s long-term success."
Jeroen Iprenburg, Technical Sales Representative for Active Greenhouse Crops, North America, Syngenta Vegetable Seeds
With a strong local focus on people, quality, and added value for customers, Syngenta’s products are highly focused on market needs, innovation, and research. Syngenta Vegetable Seeds is known globally for its tomato breeding program, with everything from beefsteaks to snacking tomatoes to specialties on the market. Overall, the company sells more than 350 different varieties of tomatoes available to growers all over the world and has a strong pipeline that underscores its commitment to adding value to vegetable products using innovative technology solutions.
“We have a key position in the red baby plum tomato category,” explains Hans Van Haeff, Technical Sales Representative for Active Greenhouse, as we take a closer look at Syngenta’s dynamic portfolio. “Our globally leading hybrids like Sweetelle and Duelle are well-known for their taste, texture, and quality. Orange, yellow, and more colors are added from hybrids like Bamborange, Lemonade, Ivorymoon, and various others.”
The variety Nebula is another of Syngenta’s famous creations, which is known globally for its outstanding flavor, distinctive aroma, and crunchy bite. The company developed Nebula and related hybrids by combining native traits specifically linked to sugar accumulation. The premium light-red, round cherry tomato features an optimum balance of sweet and sour that lingers in the mouth. Nebula offers more flesh than other cherry-type tomatoes and is unique in that it combines different sugar types and high acidity to create a taste experience all its own.
"This new YOOM® brand of tomato offers our producer partners and their customers an opportunity to distinguish themselves in the market with an innovative and original product."
Hans Van Haeff, Technical Sales Representative for Active Greenhouse, Syngenta Vegetable Seeds
Syngenta also has experience in bringing unique savory tomatoes to market. Its iconic brown Kumato®-branded varieties are now on shelves across the country and quickly became a beloved offering for consumers.
The YOOM® brand, Syngenta’s most recent development, is another example of a breakthrough in tomato breeding, providing a “yummy” experience to consumers that awakens all of the senses.
“YOOM® tomatoes feature innovations in color, taste, and eating experience. Globally, the brand is gaining strength with growing partnerships in several European countries and in North America. Featuring a curious purple exterior, this savory and sweet tomato can be enjoyed in just two bites, containing a higher level of anthocyanins compared to other tomatoes as well as vitamins and minerals,” continues Hans. “This new YOOM® brand of tomato offers our producer partners and their customers an opportunity to distinguish themselves in the market with an innovative and original product.”
In addition to varietal differentiation and unique branding, Syngenta aims for constant improvement of quality and shelf-life on its varieties to help reduce in-store waste and allow products to remain visually appealing longer. Consumers will be instantly attracted to these tomatoes as they bring convenience and excitement to a highly valuable produce sector.
So, what’s next for the tomato category?
I’m sure Syngenta is already sowing the seeds. 
