Biobest Group takes full ownership of Biobest Antalya

Belgium-based Biobest Group N.V. has taken 100 per cent ownership of Biobest Antalya. The transaction allows Biobest Group and Antilsan -the company that previously held a 40 percent stake in Biobest Antalya-  to strengthen their respective businesses.

Biobest Antalya, Turkey’s leading company in bumblebee pollination and biological control, will further capitalize on Turkey’s excellent prospects as a leading horticultural producer. Antilsan will focus on business opportunities in fertilizers, biostimulants and distribution of agrochemical products.

The longstanding and successful partnership between Biobest and Antilsan started as a production joint venture in 1998 and evolved into a fully-fledged production and distribution company in 2014. Antilsan and Biobest will continue to collaborate commercially while being fully independent in terms of shareholding.

Marc Mertens, senior vice-president Biobest comments: “We are grateful to our partners from Antilsan and wish to thank them for the excellent collaboration during more than 25 years. Together we were able to make Biobest Antalya Turkey’s leading player in biological control and bumblebee pollination. My appreciation also goes to the Biobest Antalya management team. Year upon year, in a challenging economic and monetary context, they have demonstrated their ability to grow the business and to be the reference for Turkish growers looking for quality products and sound technical advice.  We are excited to be able to further build on this promising position to serve Turkish growers as they rise to the challenges of a more sustainable production for both the domestic and export markets. I also look forward to continue our commercial cooperation with Antilsan.”

“The collaboration with Biobest has been a great experience, beneficial to both partners and to Turkish growers gaining access to leading technology and expertise. We take pride in what we achieved together,” says Ulaş Yildirim, general manager at Antilsan. He adds, “Given the solid prospects for Turkish horticulture, Antilsan’s business in fertilizers, biostimulants and pesticides has tremendous potential and this transaction allows us to accelerate our investment plans. Our investments will cover R&D, proprietary product development and enhanced commercial presence nationwide.”

“Biobest Antalya’s team is fully prepared to continue to be the reference for Turkish growers in biological control and bumblebee pollination,” says Yagiz Süzen, general manager Biobest Antalya. “We build further on our existing product portfolio and our dense network of  technical advisors and will develop and grow our biological solutions offering, including biopesticides. Just like Biobest Antalya has achieved a position as market leader in Turkey, Biobest Group has succeeded in achieving tremendous growth across the globe including through major acquisitions. Our team is delighted to be part of a global group that promotes exchange of expertise and best practices yet leaves ample room for local initiative and independence. Our customers can count on us to achieve economic success while dealing with the challenges of food safety, climate change and sustainable production.”