Sakata Increases Lettuce Offering With Purchase of Vanguard Seed

Posted by Brian Sparks|April 21, 2020

Sakata Seed America recently acquired Vanguard Seed, a lettuce seed company based in California’s Salinas Valley.

The purchase of Vanguard provides Sakata Seed America with all existing Vanguard lettuce genetics. Vanguard’s seed team will join Sakata Seed America and Vanguard’s breeding, seed production, sales, and marketing will be fully integrated under the Sakata brand.

“This is a mutually advantageous decision that allows us to bring top-quality lettuce varieties to the market,” says John Nelson, Vice President of Sakata Seed America. “Sakata is a market leader in multiple segments, including broccoli, and has an excellent reputation for quality, reliability, and service in the Salinas Valley and beyond. We believe this opportunity will create great synergy for both the lettuce and broccoli markets.”

Sakata will integrate the Vanguard team into daily operations and retain Vanguard’s Salinas warehouse and office location.

“The Vanguard team is excited to integrate operations with the Sakata team, and we look forward to continuing to develop the lettuce program backed by Sakata’s reputation for quality, reliability, and service,” says Dave Henson, Co-owner of Vanguard Seed. “Sakata is a leader in the broccoli segment in the Salinas Valley and beyond; together we can create a similar success story for lettuce.”