Legend Seeds and Sevita Partner on Corn and Soybean Seed Distribution

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Legend Seeds and Sevita International have signed a distribution agreement to bring each other’s corn and soybean genetics to new growing regions.

Ontario-based Sevita International will distribute and market Legend Seeds’ corn hybrids through its PROSeeds business in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Legend Seeds, which has its headquarters in South Dakota, will bring Sevita’s conventional and food-grade soybean varieties to its home territory in the upper Midwest U.S. under the Legend Seeds brand. Legend will also distribute PROSeeds’ Genuity soybeans in western Canada.

“Partnering with Sevita International and PROSeeds gives us the opportunity to build our corn business in eastern Canada and bring new soybean products and market opportunities to our U.S. customers,” said Legend president Glen Davis. “Jointly, we will increase our investment in product testing and selection for both corn and soybeans, which will bring value to all of our customers.”

Related: PRIDE Seeds and CANTERRA Seeds Reach Distribution Agreement for Western Canada

Sevita specializes in developing identity-preserved, food-grade soybeans, which are usually exported to Asia and western Europe. In a news release announcing the partnership on Friday, the company said it considered several partners as it searched for an entry point into the specialty soybean market in the U.S.

“Legend Seeds was the best fit culturally and product-wise. They have many excellent corn hybrids that are well-suited for the eastern Canadian corn market, and our soybeans are suited for the upper Midwest states they serve,” said Sevita president Bob Hart. “Additionally, Legend Seeds has strong connections to genetic and trait developers, which ensures they will bring competitive and superior hybrids to the marketplace.”

Sevita CEO David Hendrick suggested the partnership would also benefit U.S. food companies: “The U.S. is an untapped market for our genetics. We feel U.S. buyers of conventional soybeans are missing out on quality attributes that could enhance their manufacturing capabilities,” he noted. “We believe there is a renaissance of non-GMO demand occurring in the U.S.”

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