Bragança Paulista, June 2025 – Just three years after entering the Brazilian market, East-West Seed showcased its strong commitment to tropical innovation and farmer-centric development during the 29th edition of Hortitec, one of Latin America’s leading horticultural trade fairs. The company unveiled more than 12 new hybrids tailored to tropical conditions and developed in close collaboration with growers.
Founded in 1982 by World Food Prize Laureate Simon Groot, East-West Seed is a global leader in vegetable seeds for tropical regions, with a strong presence in Asia and rapid growth in Africa and Latin America. In Brazil, the company solidified its presence in 2022 through the acquisition of Hortec, a local reference in plant breeding.
Tropical genetics with a farmer-first approach
At Hortitec 2025, East-West Seed Brazil introduced high-performing hybrids in tomato, lettuce, onion, sweet corn, papaya, zucchini, watermelon, and melon. All varieties were developed with a strong focus on plant vigor, disease tolerance, post-harvest quality, earliness, and yield — key traits for ensuring farmer profitability and security.
“We co-create with the field. Every product we launch begins with listening to the grower,” says Marcelo Miguel Hissnauer, Commercial Head at East-West Seed Brazil.
Among the highlights was the Gyottone tomato, praised by producers for its resilience, foliar health, and consistent AAA-grade fruit quality throughout the cycle; ideal for rainy-season planting. The portfolio also featured strategic launches for different grower profiles and regions:
New Varieties by Segment
Leafy Vegetables
• Renata Crisp Lettuce
• Bia Crisp Lettuce
• Daniele Crisp Lettuce
Fruiting Vegetables and Cucurbits
• Dany Zucchini
• Yumi Tetsukabuto Pumpkin
• Star Red Watermelon
• Royal Ariane Melon
Solanaceous Crops
• Ibiza Tomato
• Santa Cruz Évora Tomato
• Napolitano Saladette Tomato
• Paraty Tomato (determinate saladette, large and firm fruits)
• Soberano Tomato (dual-purpose, suitable for mechanized low-growing systems)
Bulb Crops
• Dallas Onion
Sweet Corn
• Dorado F1 Sweet Corn
Tropical Fruits
• Vega Papaya (high tolerance to sticky disease virus)
• Sabrosa Papaya (early and uniform fruiting)
Applied research and local development
East-West Seed’s research station in Bragança Paulista (SP), integrated with the company’s global innovation hubs in Thailand and the Philippines, is currently undergoing expansion and will soon become one of the most advanced centers for tropical vegetable breeding in Brazil.
“Our strategy is clear: innovation rooted in real needs, close collaboration with growers, and practical, high-performing solutions. We believe in organic, sustainable growth driven by success in the field,” Hissnauer emphasizes.
In November, the Bragança unit will host the next edition of EWS Field Day, spotlighting upcoming releases for the next growing season.
