For Ukrainian growers, choosing the right fertilizer and biostimulant is about more than profit—it’s about security and efficiency. This principle is at the heart of the relationship between Van Iperen International and our dedicated Ukrainian partner, Agritema.
Since joining forces in 2021, this collaboration has ensured that farmers have access to a focused Van Iperen’s portfolio of premium water-soluble NPK fertilizers and innovative biostimulants needed for precision farming. In this article, we explore the pioneering work being done by the Agritema team to help growers thrive.
Local Expertise in Ukraine
Established in 2005 and headquartered in Kyiv, Agritema is a mid-sized, high-tech agritech company specializing in bio-solutions for seed treatment, inoculants, biostimulants, and specialized equipment. As Serhii Zhovnir, a Specialist in grape and vegetable crops, states, his core mission is “to provide both small-scale farmers and large ag-producers with customized biological solutions,” focusing on sustainable and productive agriculture. Their field support covers crucial crops like soy, cereals, and corn, with a growing presence in the horticulture and vegetables market.
Agritema’s 15-person team, including agronomists highly trained in microbiology and plant physiology, provides continuous field support. The company’s biggest challenge is the adoption risk, as many growers are cautious about switching from traditional fertilizers to biostimulants. Agritema overcomes this by providing extensive field trials, strong agronomic support, and clear demonstration of ROI, successfully proving that biostimulants can match or exceed conventional product performance.
The strategic distribution partnership, launched in 2021, is collaborative and innovation-driven. “Van Iperen’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and biostimulant technology aligned perfectly with our mission,” Mr. Zhovnir confirms. The partnership allows Agritema to broaden its offering to include premium mineral nutrition, enabling holistic service to farmers.
Proven Performance in the Field
Ukrainian growers appreciate the consistency of Van Iperen’s Water-Soluble NPK fertilizers, especially the high-quality EDTA-chelates and NPK formulations like 13-7-24+2MgO+7CaO+TE, known for its excellent solubility and acid reaction suitable for both foliar and fertigation.
But the real-world impact of the Biostimulants is best illustrated by a grower’s story from the Cherkassy region: The efficiency of Van Iperen’s biostimulants was proven essential following an unexpected frost (down to -7C degrees). When 40% of a farmer’s tomato plants were severely damaged, a recovery program that included seaweed-based biostimulant Stim Pure AA was initiated.
The grower reported: “Just one week later, the difference was incredible. The tomatoes had recovered their green color, new growth had started, and the plants looked alive and strong again. thanks to a well-balanced recovery program and especially Stim Pure AA, which played a key role.”
This demonstrates how seaweed-based biostimulants like FoliaStim® Mn Zn, FoliaStim® Mix TE, FoliaStim® Calcium SC and Stim Pure AAhelp plants cope with stress, improve nutrient uptake (NUE), and boost product quality, ultimately driving better yields and resilience.
Furthermore, IPE® Technology has become highly valued by Ukrainian fruit growers since 2023, with its unique modes of action consistently confirmed to deliver a remarkable impact on fruit size across the Vinnytsia and Bukovyna regions.
Looking ahead: Driving Efficiency and Innovation
The partnership between Van Iperen International and Agritema is more than a distribution agreement—it’s a commitment to Ukrainian agriculture. By focusing on high-quality WS NPK fertilizers and highly efficient biostimulants, Agritema and Van Iperen empower growers to achieve higher yields, greater efficiency, and lasting sustainability, ensuring that local expertise combined with agricultural innovation drives success in the years to come.
