The seed industry has been in a state of restructuring for many years now. New firms have entered the industry and old players have merged. Firms from various backgrounds now compete in supplying seed to agriculture and horticulture: traditional seed companies, new biotechnology firms, agrochemical companies, food processors and wholesalers/retailers. As biotechnology enables the enhancement of various quality attributes of agricultural products, downstream companies in the agrifood industry have become interested in co-deciding on plant breeding goals. Advances in plant biotechnology lead to more integrated agrifood chains. Access to proprietary genes and technology is essential for developing and commercializing genetically modified varieties. Dispute and uncertainty over intellectual property rights have induced mergers, takeovers and strategic alliances.
De organisatie van de afzet van Nederlandse tuinbouwproducten maakt momenteel een turbulente tijd door. Coöperatieve veilingen zijn gefuseerd en de nieuwe afzetorganisaties – The Greenery, Veiling ZON, Fruitmasters – gaan zich actiever bezighouden met handel en marketing. Tegelijkertijd richten telers van groenten en fruit nieuwe verenigingen op om de verkoop van hun producten zelf te organiseren of om hun positie binnen de afzetorganisaties te versterken. Tomatentelers hebben begin jaren negentig de spits afgebeten, waarna telers van andere groenten – maar ook van fruit – volgden.
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