On 1 October 2024, Inochio Seikoen Inc. (founded in 1921 in Hiroshima, Japan) acquired the business of one of Japan’s oldest Chrysanthemum breeders, Yamate Shuhoen.
Yamate Shuhoen, founded in 1937 by Masami Yamate, breeds and markets a wide range of Chrysanthemum varieties, from Ringiku (Japanese standard) and Kogiku (Japanese santini) to spray, suitable for different growing conditions and climates, from open fields to greenhouses. The two leading Japanese breeders share the same roots in Kanemaru, Hiroshima, and have contributed to the Chrysanthemum industry for many years.
Chrysanthemum is the most produced and consumed flower in Japan, and it is grown on small and large scales all over the country from south to north. Mr Kohei Ishiguro, Managing Director of Inochio Seikoen, mentions that “Japanese growers face a difficult time due to the harsh climate in summer, high energy costs in winter and the ageing of growers. As a breeder, we aim to provide a better solution for growers to overcome these challenges. By adding Yamate Shuhoen’s genetics and team to Inochio Seikoen’s sales network and service, we can offer our customers more sustainable choices to support their business.”
Together with its Dutch sister company, Floritec, Inochio Seikoen is also investing in the global market. In 2023, the new breeding facility in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands, will be completed, and Inochio Group will invest in a new location in Antioquia, Colombia, to bring more added value to the Colombian market through Customised Breeding of Dutch and Japanese origin.
The Inochio Group was founded in 1909 in Aichi, Japan, and now consists of 17 companies under the holding structure. The core businesses are greenhouse construction and technical installation, crop protection products and services, research and development, greenhouse tomato production, and the flower business, which includes Chrysanthemums, roses, and carnations.
For more details:
Inochio Group: https://inochio.co.jp/en/
Inochio Seikoen: https://www.seikoen-kiku.co.jp/en/