Oxfordshire’s Eden Research agrees French distribution deal

Oxfordshire-based agritech firm Eden Research has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Corteva France, allowing the French firm to market, distribute and sell its Mevalone fungicide product in the European country.

Mevalone, which is used to treat a fungal disease which often hits crops in humid conditions, is the firm’s flagship, sustainable foliar biofungicide. It has also recently been approved for use on pome fruits such as apples in pears to help cut food waste by treating post-harvest diseases.

Eden is also looking into the potential for Mevalone to be used to treat powdery and downy mildews, with field trials currently underway on grapes. This use could possibly be expanded to berries and stone fruits in future, with all subject to regulatory approval anticipated in the coming years.

France is a strong potential market for Mevalone, with its vineyards being the country’s biggest consumers of plant protection products including fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Viticulture also represents 15 per cent of French agricultural production in terms of value.

The Agreement with Corteva will be implemented immediately with commercial progress expected over the course of the next year as Eden transitions from its current distribution arrangements.

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Sean Smith, CEO of Eden Research plc, said: "Expanding our partnership with agriscience powerhouse Corteva reflects the further execution and acceleration of Eden's commercial strategy.

“Eden has a strong existing partnership with Corteva with our ongoing collaboration around the development of seed treatments, and this Agreement marks the expansion of our relationship with the focus of this Agreement being to increase Eden's commercial presence in the all-important French grape and pome fruits markets.

"Corteva's vast presence in France will enable Eden to capitalise on the significant commercial opportunities that exist within this expansive market and has strong potential to increase Eden's product sales revenue.

“Coupled with our recently received EPA approval in the US, this Agreement highlights the global demand for sustainable biopesticides and the strides Eden is making to broaden its global footprint and accelerate commercial growth."

Sylvain Bedel, Managing Director of Corteva France, said: "We are pleased to be expanding our working relationship with Eden by supplying to farmers Eden's innovative bio-solutions in the French market.

“There is a strong demand for more sustainable growing practices in France and farmers are paying increasing attention to consumer demand for such practices. Eden's unique technology helps provide a much-needed solution."

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