Owners

Groupe Florimond Desprez

On June 30, 2025, Groupe Florimond Desprez (GFD) acquired DLF’s 49% ownership stake in Danespo A/S.

This share transaction reflects both companies' strategic focus on their respective core businesses. As a result, GFD becomes the majority owner of Danespo, marking another significant step in its strategic commitment to the breeding, production and sales of seed potatoes.

“We would like to thank DLF for the constructive collaboration and their strong support of Danespo over many years,” says Florimond Desprez, head of GFD’s seed potato business unit. “The construction of Danespo’s new headquarters and breeding facility in 2018 illustrates the dedication both owners have shown to Danespo’s development.”

Danespo and Germicopa (France) are the two main companies within GFD’s seed potato business unit. Both breed and market seed potatoes, grown by local farmers. The two companies already maintain a close collaboration, but this transaction will enable them to further strengthen their partnership and fully leverage synergies in breeding and seed potato marketing.

To ensure smooth coordination and strong alignment between Danespo and Germicopa, the business unit will be managed by a joint leadership team, with Baptiste Brunello appointed as CEO of the unit. Baptiste Brunello has worked at Germicopa for the past six years - two years as Production Manager and four years as CEO.

Danespo A/S will continue to operate as an independent legal entity from its current locations in Denmark. Lars Næsted will continue as General Manager, and together with the Danish management team he will remain responsible for day-to-day operations. Danespo will continue to operate under its own brand and with a dedicated product portfolio.

GFD will continue to invest in the development of its seed potato business unit. In the coming months, Danespo will start building a new facility for grading and storing seed potatoes in Denmark. This expansion of Danespo’s production capacity is intended to support the company’s commercial ambition to increase exports of Danish seed potatoes.

For further information, please contact General Manager Lars Næsted at +45 22 19 19 00 or lna@danespo.com.

About Groupe Florimond Desprez:
GFD is a French, family-owned group that has specialized in plant breeding since 1830. Its business operations are organized into three units: sugar beet and chicory (United Beet Seeds), cereals and pulses, and potatoes, which includes Danespo and Germicopa. GFD employs over 1,200 people, 420 of whom work in research and development. The group generates 80% of its revenue outside of France and invests 15% of its earnings into breeding and research.