Category: News

At Hazera, our dedicated team works passionately to provide our growers with the best products. While our products often take center stage, it is the Hazera team that truly drives our success. Today, we shine the spotlight on Milan Zivkovic from Leskovac, Serbia.

Milan Zivkovic, Product Development Manager, lives in Serbia with his wife and two children. He graduated as an agronomist in 2009 and has been working in the vegetable seed industry since then, taking on roles in sales, product development, and area management. Milan has been a valued member of the Hazera team for almost three years.

What is a common myth about your field of expertise?
“I think, especially in the Balkans, Southeast Europe, a common myth is that working in agriculture is very hard, involving heavy physical work or tough conditions. That’s why youngsters don’t choose agriculture as a profession, but they should as it’s a rewarding work. As an agronomist, you can travel, learn extensively, and meet many people.”

In your opinion, what is the most important personality trait someone should have to work in your industry?
According to Milan, patience is crucial in his job. “You need to wait for results, particularly in product development, where it takes at least six months from sowing to harvesting and after that, it takes around three months to see the hybrids. So, first, it’s necessary to see how the varieties perform and only then make decisions based on the results. Precision, especially with timings, is also essential, because in agriculture if you miss something, you will need to wait another season.”

Tell us about a project you are proud of and why.
“Right when I started my journey at Hazera, I was ‘thrown into deep water’.” Laughs Milan. “By this, I mean that at that time we were organizing the open field days in Serbia. We had distributors from various countries in our region. For me, it was a fantastic start. It was a great opportunity to learn about our varieties, the market, and our customers. I’m proud of it, because I could contribute to the success of that event, even though I just started.”

What does Hazera growing together mean to you?
Milan says that “for me, growing together means two different things. One is professional growth as you can learn a lot from other colleagues and from the customers too. The other part is the growth of the company. Hazera is constantly investing in new ways and crops to stay on top of the market, and I think it’s a very good opportunity for our growers to grow together with us. Also, we’re solving a lot of problems for growers. For example, with ToBRFV, we started to introduce new varieties helping growers advance with us.”

Tell us something about yourself that most people do not know.
“I think that most people don’t know that I’m not just an agronomist, but also a farmer and vegetable grower. When we have visitors in our regions, they see that I’m also growing vegetables, and they are surprised to see my results.” Smiles Milan proudly. “One time, my six-year-old son helped me measure the sugar level of the watermelons I harvested, and he really liked the sweet taste of it. He said I have a cool job.”

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From November 12 to 15, Hazera once again made its mark at Expo Agroalimentaria Irapuato 2024, one of the most prominent agricultural events in Mexico and Latin America.

This annual gathering brings together producers, companies, and innovators in the agri-food sector, serving as a key platform for exchanging knowledge and showcasing the latest innovations in agriculture.

This year, Hazera stood out with a dynamic booth and a highly skilled team dedicated to providing quality solutions for the challenges faced by growers. During the event, the team interacted with growers, distributors, and technicians, sharing experiences, personalized advice, and in-depth knowledge about the varieties best suited to specific growing conditions. It was also a privilege to welcome Hazera’s new CEO, Ofer Peleg, at the expo.

Hazera’s portfolio for this year included an impressive selection of varieties that have demonstrated outstanding performance in different agricultural regions. Some of the most notable were Canelo, Mago, Pendragon, Windsor, Fénix and Galoper.

Furthermore, Hazera introduced two new additions in its portfolio this year: Heredero and Indomable, which sparked significant interest among attendees. These varieties were developed to provide innovative solutions to meet current agricultural market needs, standing out for their resistance, productivity, and high quality.

The Hazera Mexico team extends its gratitude to all the visitors, partners who made this experience a resounding success. Their participation serves as a reminder of the positive impact that can be achieved by uniting efforts for the benefit of the agricultural sector.

See you at next year’s Expo Agroalimentaria!

Hazera held its International Open Days from September 24th to 26th, welcoming hundreds of customers from all over the world. During the event, visitors had the opportunity to “connect their senses” by touching and tasting a wide range of Hazera varieties at the fields and on displays, while also hearing insights from our crop experts about key highlights.

We had the pleasure of speaking with one of our customers attending the event, Ipatioaie Costel, the sales representative for Adri Prodcom in eastern Romania. With over 16 years of experience working with Hazera, Ipatioaie primarily focuses on tomatoes and cabbage, while also dealing with radishes, peppers, and watermelons.

The conversation began with a discussion of the challenges currently facing the agricultural industry. According to Ipatioaie, the biggest hurdle is adapting to the rapidly shifting market demands. He emphasized the importance of understanding growers’ needs, developing strategies to meet them, and introducing innovative products while maintaining a competitive edge. “None of this is possible,” he noted, “without quality seeds, high-yielding varieties, fair pricing, and strong grower support.”

When asked about Hazera’s ability to respond to these market changes, Ipatioaie highlighted the strong collaboration between his team and Hazera. “This partnership allows us to take the necessary steps to overcome challenges. We work together to identify what is important—finding new, quality varieties for the market. It is a step-by-step process. First, we assess the market and competition, then work with Hazera to conduct trials, evaluate the results, and decide if a variety is suitable. This takes time—patience is key, especially since some varieties respond to market needs faster than others.”

Reflecting on his long-standing partnership with us, Ipatioaie expressed pride in the company’s consistent delivery of high-quality products, particularly tomatoes. “Hazera tomatoes are known for their taste, color, and quality,” he said. “Consumers first look for good taste, then color, and now they also want quality and high yield.” He described the balance between taste, resistance, and transportability as like a chess game, where you must prioritize traits based on market demand.

Ipatioaie thought that Hazera’s slogan, “Growing Together,” is both meaningful and fitting. “It is a powerful message,” he remarked. “Working together is essential for success, and this slogan perfectly reflects the shared commitment in the whole industry.”

For Ipatioaie, the most rewarding part of his job is engaging with growers, understanding their challenges, and providing solutions that truly make a difference. “That’s the best part—offering quality solutions after listening to their needs. To do this successfully, you need strong collaboration skills. Without being close to the growers and understanding the markets, success is impossible.”

Would you like to learn more? Contact us!

Hazera’s newly appointed CEO reflects on Growing in the seed industry

A conversation with Hazera’s new CEO, Ofer Peleg

In his two and half years as Deputy CEO, and in leadership roles at dynamic global companies, Ofer Peleg has gained significant experience in business and agriculture. Now, as he steps into the CEO-role at Hazera, Ofer reflects on lessons learned and looks ahead to what the future holds.

“It’s been a fascinating 2.5 years, in which we’ve worked to optimize our efficiencies and leverage our capabilities”, Ofer begins. “I find the most valuable lessons to be this industry’s innovative nature and strong focus on sustainability.  That is what is leading us to find better solutions every day. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Growing Together
“For me, the customer is front and center,” Ofer explains his priorities and his plans to strengthen Hazera’s focus on growing together with customers worldwide, and with the growers in a diverse global community in more than 130 countries.

“We’re putting great effort into adding value for them with our solutions, such as improving our loyalty programs, service level agreements and seed products to meet the needs of clients in different markets.”

 “There’s a strong sense of partnership, professionalism and community within the organization. It is evident that our employees enjoy what they do and go above and beyond.” Ofer highly values the input he receives from employees. “It’s important to me to always be listening to what they have to say. I’ll admit that I can be demanding as a manager, but the greatest demands I make, are for myself.” To continue moving forward, Ofer says, Hazera as an organization needs to be flexible, agile and strongly focused on product quality. “By fostering a strong sense of ownership in everything we do, we can push our organization to excellence.”

Building on a century of growth
With Hazera celebrating its 100^th anniversary in 2025, Ofer takes a look at the future. “I’m honored that we’re part of the Limagrain Group, , together with our sister companies Vilmorin.Mikado and HM.Clause: the number one vegetable seed company in the world. Together, I see us continuing to play a huge role in the successes of the vegetable seed industry. And, most importantly, in the successes of the growers that we’ve been serving for nearly a century. We look forward to serving them for the century to come!” #GrowingtogetherAbout Ofer Peleg
Ofer joined Hazera in 2022 as deputy CEO after working for four years at Netafim (precision Irrigation global leader) as Vice-President, Global Supply Chain. Ofer had also previously worked 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, most prominently at Teva Pharmaceuticals.

For more information, please contact:
www.hazera.com / or check our social channels

HAZERA: Growing Together
Hazera Seeds is a global company that develops, produces, and commercialize  seed varieties and is a global leader in the seed industry. Hazera has headquarters in both the Netherlands and Israel and operates subsidiaries in 11 countries, together with a distribution network serving over 130 markets.
Hazera is part of the Limagrain Group, an international farmers’ cooperative based in France. Limagrain has grown into the largest seed company in Europe, specializing in vegetables, field crops and cereals. The vegetable seed division at Limagrain is the largest in the industry

On September 24–26, Hazera will host its annual International Open Days in Warmenhuizen, where you will have the opportunity to explore our crop varieties up close and also get an inside look at the breeding process behind these varieties directly from Manu Parmar, our Global Breeding Lead for Cabbage.

Manu Parmar has been working with Hazera for the past few months and he is based in Warmenhuizen. He lives in Haarlem with his wife and two daughters. He was born and brought up in New Delhi, India. His father is a soil scientist, which motivated Manu to pursue an education in the field of agricultural sciences. He did his PhD in vegetable crops with a specialization in Breeding from Punjab Agricultural University. He has 18 years of experience in breeding various vegetable crops and back in India, he was a cabbage breeder.

What is a common myth about your job or field of expertise?
“I think a common myth about working as a plant breeder in a seed company is that the job is mostly about working in the fields and greenhouses. While fieldwork is certainly a part of the job, plant breeders often spend a significant amount of time in the office conducting data analysis, planning breeding programs, and managing projects.” Manu thinks for a second then continues saying that “another myth is that plant breeders are solely responsible for all aspects of the breeding process. But in reality, they often work as part of a larger team that includes research associates, lab technicians, and other specialists. This collaborative environment helps to streamline the breeding process and incorporate various expertise.”

In your opinion, what is the most important personality trait someone should have to work in your industry?
“One of the most important strengths for a plant breeder is strong analytical skills. This involves the ability to capture plant traits, interpret complex data and make informed decisions based on genetic, environmental, and experimental data. Collaboration and communication skills are important to be able to work across cross functional teams of genetics and lab scientists to bring innovation, speed and agility to the breeding program.”

Tell us about a project you’re proud of and why.
“I am proud to be part of the brassica breeding team and it is part of the heritage of Hazera. It started with developing varieties for Western Europe, but today we are a global player with a wide assortment of specific varieties. Pointed cabbage is our specialty with varieties like Dutchman, Regency and Marshal, and Berlenga for western Europe and Mediterranean markets.”

What does “Hazera- Growing Together” mean to you?
“For me Growing together means that the Hazera team believes in working through challenges, just like increasing world population, pandemics, regional conflicts, reduction of arable land, and climate change, and is determined to develop superior varieties and achieve food security.”

Tell us something about you that most people don’t know.
“In India, we drive on the left side, so it was quite an adjustment for me to learn how to write on the right side when I came to the Netherlands.”

Do you want to stay connected with our Hazera people?

Follow us on our social media channels to stay connected with our Hazera people! If you have any questions left, don’t hesitate to ask them via our contact page!

Learn more and register for our International Open Days here!

Last week, Hazera USA hosted its annual Hall Field Days in New York, drawing over a hundred customers, growers, and distributors from across the United States. The event offered a unique opportunity for the attendees to explore Hazera’s latest varieties and innovative concepts shaping the future of agriculture.

The event kicked off with an introduction to Hazera’s new concept of ‘Tomatoes that Work for You,’ presented by Hazera’s Tomato Expert and Regional Manager, Arno Van Staden. This forward-thinking initiative addresses some of the most pressing challenges in the tomato industry today, including rising production costs, labor shortages, and the need for sustainable farming practices. Arno’s presentation underscored Hazera’s commitment to leading the way in agricultural innovation.

Another key highlight was the showcase of Hazera’s ToBRFV resistant tomato varieties. These breakthroughs represent a significant advancement in crop protection, offering enhanced resistance to ToBRFV. This innovation is crucial for maintaining crop health and ensuring consistent productivity despite the growing threat of diseases.

Attendees were also introduced to Hazera’s latest watermelon, cabbage, and sunflower breeds. These new varieties have been developed with a focus on improved yield, superior taste, and greater resilience. The excitement among the participants was palpable as they explored the potential of these crops.

One of the most cherished aspects of the Hall Field Days was the opportunity for face-to-face interactions. Meeting customers, growers, and distributors in person allowed for meaningful exchanges, strengthening relationships and collaboration. The passion and commitment of the participants were truly inspiring, reinforcing Hazera’s dedication to supporting its partners in every possible way.

We look forward to many more opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together.