Grupo Hijuelas announces its expansion into France with an R&D project in collaboration with European scientific companies.

Grupo Hijuelas continues advancing in its consolidation as a global platform for plant material with the official announcement of its expansion into France, through a Research and Development (R&D) project in partnership with European companies specialized in the field.

“The operation in France will have a distinctive focus within the group’s international ecosystem,” says Juan Ignacio Goycoolea, CEO of Grupo Hijuelas. “It will be a center primarily oriented toward the development and productive validation of scientific protocols for in vitro propagation, the incorporation of new species into the platform, and high-standard technical services for European genetic programs.”

The project includes a strategic alliance with Laurent Jouve, PhD in Plant Biology from the University of Geneva and a specialist in plant biotechnology with more than 30 years of experience in research and development. Throughout his career, he has worked in European universities and scientific centers, leading projects focused on in vitro propagation protocols and the micropropagation of complex plant species. He currently directs the in vitro culture laboratory at Tarnagas in France, focused on techniques for the micropropagation of high-value plants.

Through this partnership, Grupo Hijuelas will contribute its experience and know-how in large-scale propagation, demanding commercialization, and the development of successful agricultural businesses, combining scientific rigor with industrial capability and a proven commercial vision in the field.

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A European Hub for Scientific Innovation

Grupo Hijuelas’ French operation will be structured into two complementary units: a research center focused on protocol development and scientific validation, and a specialized production unit with propagation infrastructure under controlled conditions.

This project will enable the validation of protocols for strategic species in the European market, the development of new propagation methodologies for complex varieties, the delivery of premium services to genetic programs, and the strengthening of strategic license integration in Europe operated by Grupo Hijuelas.

“France represents a key step in our vision of becoming a global platform for plant material. It is not only about production, but about positioning ourselves at the forefront of scientific and technological development in the sector,” stated Juan Ignacio Goycoolea. “This center will allow us to validate new species, develop proprietary protocols, and strengthen our technological offering in Europe, always with a focus on quality and scientific rigor.”

Research as a Strategic Pillar

The operation will be led by Remo Nasi, an Industrial Civil Engineer and EMEA Territory Manager at Grupo Hijuelas, who has over a decade of experience working with the company across different production units, including both laboratory and nursery operations at operational and corporate levels.

“The project in France has a clear Research and Development focus. Our objective is to drive progress in protocols for complex varieties and new species, strengthening our technological capabilities as a group,” explained Nasi. “In addition to research, we are also evaluating the gradual expansion of production capacity, incorporating specialized infrastructure that will allow us to deliver premium plants to the European market.”

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Consistency and Global Positioning

The expansion into France adds to the biotechnological initiatives that Grupo Hijuelas has developed in recent years across different markets, consolidating scientific innovation as an applied tool for agricultural development.

With this operation, the company formally establishes its territorial presence in Europe and deepens its positioning as a technological player within the industry, integrating research, protocol validation, services for genetic programs, and productive potential under the standards demanded by growers and consumer trends—particularly stringent in Europe.

“Scientific innovation is the gateway to new markets. France will serve as a strategic platform to unlock new commercial opportunities in Europe and to strengthen our technological value proposition,” concluded Juan Ignacio Goycoolea.

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