Royal Van Zanten and Interplant Announce Partnership in East Africa
International flower breeders Interplant and Royal Van Zanten are collaborating to bring a number of varieties to growers in East Africa. Interplant will be an agent for Royal Van Zanten and represent their varieties in the region where Interplant has had a strong presence and network for years. Interplant’s test facilities in Kenya will serve as a location for flower trials with Alstroemeria, Statice, Chrysanthemum and Limonium.
“We actively seek collaboration with partners in the value chain. The partnership with Interplant strengthens our activities in East Africa and our services to growers in this region,” says Rick Kroon, Royal Van Zanten’s commercial director. “There is an abundance of flower farms near Lake Naivasha in Kenya.”
“We value shared know-how and a close relationship with our customers. In turn, they benefit from a larger choice in high quality varieties. The partnership with Royal Van Zanten will grow our portfolio and our expertise,” says Robert Ilsink, CEO of Interplant Summerflowers & Seeds. “The objective is to make strong varieties available for our expanding network of growers.”
The two companies both have a long history of successful pioneering in the field of flower and plant breeding.
“We have made it our mission to pass on the passion that has defined Royal Van Zanten since its foundation in 1862. It’s reflected in our flowers and company culture. I am very excited about the opportunity to share our passion and products in new areas of Africa. We look forward to working with Interplant,” says Kroon.
Chosen for its suitable micro-climate in the flower growing region of Kenya, the test facilities in Naivasha are strategically placed in the heart of this flower growing region. In view of the fact that there is an increasing demand on Kenya’s natural resources, care has been taken to recycle much of the water used by the facility that operates mainly on solar energy.
Video Library 
