PSB said deal will accelerate innovation in the stonefruit category
Sustainable agri-food investment fund Cibus Fund II has acquired a majority stake in stonefruit breeder PSB Producción Vegetal. The two parties said the deal will drive the future development of high-quality, climate-resilient fruit varieties to meet the evolving demands of producers, consumers, and the supply chain.
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Murcia, PSB has a portfolio of 74 patented varieties and 51 more under development, encompassing peaches, nectarines, apricots, and plums. It is also currently to table grapes and cherries.
Its R&D integrates advanced molecular marker techniques and a hybridisation programme working with up to 120,000 new hybrids to develop fruit varieties with superior flavour, disease resistance, and adaptability to the challenges posed by climate change, such as low chilling requirements and extended seasonality.
CEO Stéphane Buffat will continue to run the business and retains a stake in it.
Recent advancements in PSB’s breeding programme include the development of disease-resistant stone fruit varieties that help growers combat threats such as sharka virus and powdery mildew, enabling healthier production with a lower environmental impact.
The Cibus Fund II investment will accelerate PSB’s R&D capabilities and global expansion, supported by strategic guidance from industry veterans Dr David Buckeridge, former CEO of Advanta, and Garth Swinburn, former senior executive at Sun World.
The fund said the partnership underscores the critical role of advanced plant breeding in addressing global food security, sustainability, and climate change adaptation.
Rob Appleby, founder and CIO of Cibus Capital, commented: “Partnering with PSB places us at the forefront of natural breeding in the high-value fruit sector. Their pioneering work is vital to creating climate-resilient crops that ensure sustainable food supply chains in a rapidly changing world.
“PSB is a global example of breeding and sustainability. We see enormous potential to expand its impact globally, transforming the fruit industry with next-generation varieties.”
Buffat said: “This partnership marks a milestone for PSB. With Cibus’s support, we will enhance our breeding programmes through technological innovation and expand into new markets, while delivering exceptional fruit varieties that will delight consumers and empower growers.
