COFRA Holding acquires starter plants supplier Ontario Plants

COFRA Holding has acquired Ontario Plants Propagation Limited, the leading supplier of high-quality starter plants for hydroponic and organic greenhouse growers in North America.

Founded in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, in 2002, Ontario Plants is the preferred supplier of starter tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers for growers throughout Canada and the United States. The company has developed a sophisticated propagation process with exemplary hygiene standards and bio-controls, in addition to trusted relationships with its customers.

The acquisition of Ontario Plants is COFRA’s third investment in the sustainable food system in the past five months, following the acquisition of Dalsem, a high-tech greenhouse developer based in the Netherlands, and an investment in Intelligent Growth Solutions, a UK-based vertical farming technology provider. All three investments reflect COFRA’s focus on Controlled Environment Agriculture, which enables growers to produce healthy food at higher yields while using fewer resources and waste.

“Our acquisition of Ontario Plants further underlines COFRA’s commitment to investing in businesses that are tackling some of the world’s biggest social and environmental challenges,” said Boudewijn Beerkens, CEO of COFRA Holding, in a news release. “The world needs to transition to a more sustainable food system. Controlled Environment Agriculture will be essential to meeting the world’s food needs over the coming decades and, as one of the leading suppliers in North America, Ontario Plants is an ideal addition to COFRA’s offering in the sustainable food space. Ontario Plants and Dalsem will together create a trusted ecosystem for growers to produce more sustainable and nutritious food. I am pleased to welcome the talented team at Ontario Plants to COFRA and I look forward to working together to serve the leading growers in North America and beyond.”

Ontario Plants’ experienced management team will continue to lead the business, under COFRA’s ownership, from St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.