ASD Costa Rica was created in 1986 as an independent, specialized business dedicated to the development of highly productive varieties of oil palm seeds and clones. On the international market, ASD is now offering several planting materials with special characteristics for different environment and planting densities.

One of ASD’s greatest strengths is its germplasm collection, which has an extensive genetic base. This diversity of palm origins and types has allowed ASD to develop exceptional and unique seed and clone varieties. ASD planting materials are globally recognized for their high genetic purity and productive capacity, and they are particularly popular with small farmers around the world.

Since its creation, ASD has exported more than 204 million seeds to nearly all the palm oil-producing nations of the world, resulting in more than 1.2 million hectares planted with ASD varieties. In tropical America, around 55% of the area with oil palm was planted with ASD varieties. Commercial plantations using ASD varieties represent more than 10% of the total area planted in oil palm in the world.

ASD seeds have high genetic purity (99.9% tenera) and producers receive uncontaminated genes for high production in commercial exploitation. This guarantee is backed by our advanced genetic enhancement program that uses modern scientific resources, such as molecular markers and gene sequencing.

Seeds from ASD are certified by the National Seed Office of the Costa Rican government, whose main objective is to guarantee the genetic quality of the seeds for use by the nation’s farmers, through periodic inspections of production and processing. This local certification benefits the world’s palm growers, because an independent institution guarantees seeds of the highest quality and genetic purity.

Another major strength of ASD is its response capacity; clients receive their germinated seeds after an average waiting time of no more than 35 days following completion of the sales transaction. Furthermore, ASD guarantees the physical quality of its seeds, which are shipped around the world in high-quality packaging that allows the seeds to remain in transit for up to 21 days without losing planting quality.

Besides providing high yielding oil palm seeds and clones, ASD has also had a great deal of success in transferring crop technology to businesses and small producers that lack experience in the industry, through in-service training, formal courses and direct technical assistance on specific topics.

Finally, ASD has technical-scientific personnel with extensive experience in the oil palm industry from 20-35 years of continual work around the world, guaranteeing ASD’s clients that the seeds they buy are backed by an integrated group of employees motivated to achieve one single purpose: gaining the full satisfaction of the clients who trust ASD products.