Biobest Group has acquired Antilsan’s remaining 40 percent share in Biobest Antalya, a Turkish company focused on bumblebee pollination and biological control.

The 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. Going forward, Antilsan and Biobest will continue to collaborate commercially while being fully independent in terms of shareholding. And Antilsan will continue to focus on business opportunities in fertilizers, biostimulants and distribution of agrochemical products.

According to Ulaş Yildirim, general manager of 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.

“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,” said Yildirim. “Our investments will cover R&D, proprietary product development and enhances commercial presence nationwide.”

“Year upon year, in a challenging economic and monetary context, [Biobest Antalya] have demonstrated their ability to grow the business and to be the reference for Turkish growers looking for quality products and sound technical advice,” said Marc Mertens, senior vice-president with Biobest. “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 continuing our commercial cooperation with Antilsan.”

Biobest Antalya’s team will continue to be the reference for Turkish growers in biological control and bumblebee pollination. “We build further on our existing product portfolio and our dense network of technical advisers, and will develop and grow our biological solutions offering, including biopesticides,” noted Yagiz Süzen, general manager of Biobest Antalya.