Thomson Snell & Passmore has advised A. Duda & Sons, Inc. on its joint venture acquisition, alongside G’s Group, of Tozer Seeds Ltd, one of the UK’s most respected independent vegetable seed companies.

The transaction brings together three businesses with deep roots in agriculture, horticulture, seed genetics and fresh produce. For A. Duda & Sons, a fifth-generation family-owned business headquartered in Oviedo, Florida, the acquisition represents a significant strategic investment in the UK and European food and agriculture sector.

The deal was publicised across the international fresh produce, seed and agriculture sectors, reflecting the market significance of the transaction.

The transaction

A. Duda & Sons is a long-established, US family-owned-and-operated business with diversified operations in agriculture and real estate. The company is headquartered in Florida and, in 2026, celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Thomson Snell & Passmore advised A. Duda & Sons on the UK legal aspects of the transaction, supporting the client through the acquisition of Tozer Seeds by way of a cross-border joint venture with G’s Group.

The transaction included Tozer Seeds’ operations across the UK, Spain, the Netherlands and the United States, requiring a coordinated approach to legal, commercial and execution risk across multiple jurisdictions.

Client perspective

Commenting on the strategic importance of the acquisition, Sammy Duda, CEO/President of A. Duda & Sons, said:

“By combining Duda’s celery genetics with Tozer’s global breeding portfolio, we’re positioned to accelerate the next generation of celery products that elevate flavour, quality, and category growth.”

Food and agribusiness focus

Tozer Seeds was founded in West London in 1944 and has been owned by the Dawson family since 1950. Over more than 80 years, it has built a global reputation for vegetable breeding, seed production and premium-quality seed crops, including industry-first innovations such as the world’s first commercial F1 hybrid parsnip and celery varieties.

Under the new ownership structure, Tozer Seeds will continue to operate as an independent seed business, retaining its name, leadership team and focus on breeding, multiplication and global sales of speciality horticultural crops, including celery, parsnip, kale, coriander, rocket, squash, legumes and leeks.

The acquisition builds on a long-standing commercial relationship between A. Duda & Sons and G’s Group. By combining Duda’s proprietary celery genetics programme with Tozer Seeds’ global breeding portfolio, the joint venture creates a platform for future innovation in vegetable seed genetics and fresh produce supply chains.

Our role

The Thomson Snell & Passmore team was led by Joanne Gallagher, Head of Corporate and Corporate M&A Partner, supported by Dan Gorringe, Jack Pavey and Rachel Macmillan in the Corporate team.

Joanne leads Thomson Snell & Passmore’s Corporate practice and advises entrepreneurs, founders, shareholders, investors, management teams and private companies on UK and international M&A, private equity investments and strategic corporate transactions.

For this transaction, the team advised A. Duda & Sons on the legal workstreams required to complete a strategic UK acquisition involving an international buyer, a joint venture structure and assets and operations across several jurisdictions.

Sector expertise

This transaction highlights Thomson Snell & Passmore’s experience advising on strategic M&A in the food, drink and agribusiness sectors, particularly where deals involve family-owned businesses, international buyers, long-term commercial relationships and cross-border growth.

The Corporate team advises clients across the wider consumer, food and agriculture supply chain on acquisitions, disposals, investments, joint ventures and shareholder arrangements, combining technical transaction support with a practical understanding of the commercial drivers behind sector-led M&A.

Why it matters

This transaction demonstrates the Corporate team’s ability to support ambitious clients on complex, cross-border M&A where legal execution, commercial strategy and sector knowledge need to come together. It also reflects the type of international mid-market corporate work Thomson Snell & Passmore is increasingly well placed to deliver.

Joanne Gallagher comments

“We were delighted to advise A. Duda & Sons on this strategically important cross-border joint venture acquisition. The transaction brings together highly respected businesses with deep experience across agriculture, horticulture, seed genetics and fresh produce. It is a strong example of the type of complex, international mid-market M&A work our Corporate team is increasingly known for, particularly in the food and drink and agribusiness sectors.”

How we can help

If you are considering an acquisition, disposal, investment or joint venture in the food, drink, agriculture or wider consumer supply chain, our Corporate M&A team can help you structure, negotiate and complete the transaction.

For further information, please contact Joanne Gallagher, Head of Corporate, or a member of our Corporate M&A team.