Marrone Bio inks deal to develop and distribute Grandevo and Venerate bioinsecticides in Chile

Marrone Bio Innovations Inc (NASDAQ:MBII) (MBI) has signed a commercial agreement with Anasac Chile SA to develop and distribute Grandevo and Venerate bioinsecticides in Chile.  In a statement Monday, Marrone Bio noted that Anasac is a leading Chilean agricultural inputs provider, committed to agricultural productivity and its people. Since 1948, Anasac has been a leader in delivering solutions that enable growth for its customers.  Anasac has more than a 17% share of the $440 million Chilean crop protection market, and is the second-largest player in plant nutrition and corn seed in Chile as well, among other business lines in the agricultural and livestock markets. READ: Marrone Bio gets California Pesticide regulator approval for new bacteria strain The production of fruits and vegetables in Chile was 7.9 million metric tons in 2018. Within South America, Chile is responsible for 60% of all fruit exports and is the leading exporter of fresh blueberries, grapes, plums, dried apples and prunes. It is also the second-largest exporter of avocados, cherries, walnuts, and raspberries. Anasac’s initial focus will be in table grapes, stone fruit and tomatoes for thrips, mealybug, oriental moth, San Jose scale and whitefly control where both products have proven highly effective in official field studies. Marrone bio said that both bioinsecticides provide resistance management in an integrated program, while not harming beneficial insects and pollinators. They are also exempt from food tolerance requirements -- which helps growers manage the residue levels on exported crops. “We continue executing on our growth plans with international expansion in key row crops and specialty crop markets,’” said CEO Dr Pam Marrone. “We are pleased to have a clear leader such as Anasac as our Chilean partner.” Gabriel Ormeño H., Anasac Chile’s general manager, added: “We are excited to work with MBI, and to introduce effective, novel biological products like GRANDEVO and VENERATE into integrated pest management programs and for residue and resistance management in Chile’s important fruit production and export markets. Founded in 2006 in Davis, California, Marrone Bio holds more than 400 issued and pending patents and has brought six US Environmental Protection Agency-registered biological product lines and one biostimulant to market. Its suite of biologicals includes a bevy of bacteria strains and plant extracts that fight pests, control plant diseases and reduce stress from sun and water. Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham