Strawberries are about as popular as oxygen. It's hard to locate
anyone who doesn't like them.
According to 2013 Monterey County Crop Report released last
week, strawberries top the list of most valuable crops at $869
million. The global market is estimated to be several billion
dollars.
On June 24, 2014 Affinor Growers (AFI-CSE) (OTCQB:RSSFF)
(Frankfurt:1AF) entered the multi-billion dollar strawberry market
after closing an exclusive license to grow market-ready
strawberries using automated, software-driven, vertical farming
technology from Vertical Designs (VDL).
"Affinor grows plants," stated AFI Chairman Nick Brusatore, in
an exclusive interview with Financial Press, "That's what we do,
and we're going to be the best in the world at growing plants and
solving problematic crops with zero water waste,
pesticide-free."
Affinor's intention is to acquire land, build green houses, and
be in production by November, 2014.
"The economics of our product are extremely favorable," stated
Brusatore, "AFI differentiators are extreme water conservation,
maximum production per square foot, mechanical pollination and wide
facility automation. It's the right technology for our planet at
the right time."
Mr. Brusatore has a 15 year track record in commercial crop
innovation. Strawberries are in demand 12 months a year, but can
only be grown a couple of months in northern climates.
"Vertical growing technology produces about 13 times more food
per square foot, than a traditional greenhouse," stated Brusatore,
"We use solar power where possible and we create zero water
waste."
Affinor has a team of pharmacologists, scientists and plant
geneticists working at an R&D facility in Port Coquitlam,
BC.
"We have been Beta Testing mechanical pollination, production
seed testing, fruit testing and shelf-life testing at the R&D
facility," states Brusatore, "The machines are designed, built and
running. It's all touch-screen software. The beautiful thing is
that it is modular. When demand rises, we can scale up quickly,
growing premium crops while recycling water and minimizing energy
costs."
Rick Easthom, recently retired Manager of Retail Development for
Choices Market confirms that it is "unheard of to produce a vine
ripened strawberry above the 49th Parallel in the dead of
winter."
"I sampled a 53 gram fully vine ripened strawberry produced by
Affinor," stated Easthom in a recent interview with Financial
Press, "It was better than any other strawberry I have ever tasted,
including our local summer berries."
Affinor is in negotiations for bulk purchase orders for
strawberries and the company is anxious to get the facility up and
running. The company is also currently producing medical
marijuana under an old license.
"The medical marijuana business is a natural fit for us because
we already grow premium plants for a living and we can do it
cheaper than anybody else," stated Brusatore, "but I can't get a
$50 million purchase order for marijuana – and I can get for
strawberries."
Current methods of strawberry production use large amounts of
chemicals and pesticides and rely on fossil fuels for shipping and
distribution. USDA data revealed 54 different pesticide residues
among strawberry samples from traditional production methods.
Spoilage is also a major cost factor from strawberry growers, so
Affinor Growers plans to build facilities near urban centers which
can radically lower shipping costs and reduce spoilage, extending
the shelf life of crops produced.
"I believe that at some point the world is going to look
at us as a go-to company to solve challenging crop issues," stated
Brusatore, "We have a very strong team of plant scientists who
think out of the box."
Affinor will need $2-$3 million dollars to build the first
facility. The company anticipates raising about $3 million from
exercised warrants. Brusatore claims there is no need to fund
production by doing a dilutive financing.
"In the next phase of our development we will accommodate
institutional investors," stated Brusatore, "But right now we are
going to expand on our own dime and that way - when we're
producing, generating revenue and profits, Affinor will be worth
much more."
"This is a huge deal for Affinor," states Sebastien Plouffe,
President & CEO of Affinor, "as it will allow us to build our
first strawberry facility immediately using VDL's proven
technology."
Total Monterey 2013 strawberry revenues rose 11% from the
previous year.
Affinor currently trades at .68 with a market cap of $41.45
million.
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CONTACT: Affinor Growers Inc.
410 Saint Nicolas, Suite 236
Montreal (QC) Canada H2Y 2P5
Phone: (514) 947-2272
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