East West Seed Company

San Rafael, Bulacan

East West Seed Company is a multinational vegetable seed producer with a leading market position in all major South East and South Asian vegetable seed markets. It produces, develops and sells tropical hybrid vegetable seeds under the brand logo ‘Red Arrow’

potted vincas

Started in 1982 in the Philippines, East West has today operations in all major South East and South Asian vegetable seed markets. The roots then and now remain unchanged; innovative breeding towards improved hybrid varieties that challenge existing market situations.

The  world class breeding and research programs are built on a blend of excellent germplasm, detailed market knowledge and creative and skilled breeders. Classical  plant breeding is the backbone , supplemented by plant pathology programs for disease resistance screening and tissue culture programs to speed up variety development.   The company  also cooperate with leading universities and government ministries in our market countries to develop new tools such as molecular markers to improve selection efficiency.

group photo

Mr. Simon N. Groot – founder ( then East West Group), took the first step. Teaming up with Benito Domingo who had a thriving seed trading business in Manila, they formed Hortigenetics Philippines, Inc. Later, as a gesture to show that a partnership between a European and an Asian would prove that the twain could meet and succeed, they changed the company name to East-West Seed Company.

Breeding work started in 1983 on five hectares outside Lipa City, Batangas, at the Hortanova (“new garden”) Farm. A two-story building went up in Paranaque south of Manila, housing a seed processing plant and offices, to support the marketing program.

It would be four grueling years before any seeds were ready to market. Four years of expenses and payroll going out and no revenues coming in. Breeding efforts covered a wide variety of vegetables: off-season tomato, eggplant, leaf mustard, watermelon, onion, and many Cucurbits especially bitter gourd.

By 1986 the first hybrids (bitter gourd, pumpkin, eggplant, tomato) and several improved  selections of popular leafy vegetables had been introduced throughout the Philippines. Several of those early hybrids became superstars that remain successful even today.

a nipa hut landscape with various annuals and perennials

The company participate in Agricultural shows, Horticulture shows and those organized by the Philippine Horticultural Society , Philippine Orchid Society , AANI , PIFGEX  among others .

The company conducts an open house sale of various products from seeds, potted plants , farm equipment among others…

fried kangkong

The last time the contingent  went to their open house , the group  were treated to a buffet of fried squash , fried kangkong and boiled corns  straight from their farm.

fried squash with vinegar dip

Website: http://www.eastwestseed.com/

Contact Information:

Address: Km. 54 Cagayan Valley Rd.
Sampaloc, San Rafael
3008 Bulacan, Philippines

Telephone +63(044) 766-4952 – 57

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