Royal HZPC Group
Squarefield acted as exclusive financial advisor to Royal HZPC Group on the acquisition of IPM Potato Group
On October 2, 2025, Royal HZPC Group (“HZPC” or the “Company”) signed an agreement to acquire IPM Potato Group, a subsidiary of Donegal Investment Group, subject to customary closing conditions and approval by the competition authorities. The acquisition of IPM Potato Group will strengthen HZPC’s position in the global seed potato market on multiple fronts.
Royal HZPC Group
Royal HZPC Group, founded in 1898 and headquartered in the Netherlands, is an international market leader in potato breeding, seed potato trading and product concept development. HZPC is owned by an association of active and former seed potato growers (certificate holders), and offers innovative potato varieties that are optimised for local growing conditions. The business also shares expertise and solutions that relate to the climatic, cultural and commercial challenges facing the food industry. With c. 400 employees in 16 different countries and with exports to more than 90 countries, HZPC makes a significant contribution towards the availability of responsible food and the well-being of millions of people worldwide.
Hans Huistra – Chief Executive Officer Royal HZPC Group“Alongside HZPC and STET, we are now strengthening our group with a leading brand in potato breeding and export from the British Isles. It is a company that fits seamlessly with our way of working. They have strong customer relationships, collaborate closely with their growers, and place a high value on innovation. These qualities have led to seed potatoes that are recognised worldwide as high-quality starting material.”
“This step aligns with our strategic direction and growth ambitions. Through the intended acquisition, we expand our group’s total acreage by 1,800 hectares ─ primarily from Scotland, a leading seed potato region. Combined with our strong position in England, the addition of Scottish acreage further strengthens our presence in the United Kingdom. This collaboration also opens doors to new markets and export opportunities, especially in key growth regions such as North Africa. With this acquisition we are accelerating our growth.”
IPM Potato Group
IPM Potato Group, founded in 1950 and headquartered in Ireland, is Ireland’s market leader in seed potato breeding, production, and export. IPM Potato Group is also the largest exporter of exclusive and protected varieties in the United Kingdom. Through a strong grower network in Ireland, Scotland, France, the Netherlands, and England, IPM Potato Group exports to 40 countries with a strong focus on the Mediterranean region. In the field of research and development, IPM Potato Group has been collaborating with Teagasc, Ireland’s national institute for research, advisory, and education in the agri-food sector for more than 50 years. This ongoing partnership continues to drive innovation and has resulted in a portfolio of resilient, high-quality varieties.
Marcel de Sousa – Chief Executive Officer IPM Potato Group“The announced collaboration within Royal HZPC Group opens up new opportunities for growth, together with our customers and growers. Our conversations show that our visions for our sector’s future are closely aligned. At the same time, we maintain our own identity and direction. We see this as a valuable opportunity and look forward to building a strong future together.”
Donegal Investment Group
Donegal Investment Group, founded in 1898 and headquartered in Ireland, has been the parent company of IPM Potato Group and is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange. Donegal Investment Group, together with its subsidiaries, grows, produces, sells, markets, and distributes seed potatoes.