"At Kelp Blue, we cultivate Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) to help growers reduce their carbon footprint while improving soil health and crop productivity," says Valentin Pitiot, Head of Agribusiness at Kelp Blue. "Our seaweed-based biostimulant, StimBlue+, is a liquid seaweed extract that enhances plant resilience, improves nutrient uptake, and lowers the need for synthetic fertilizers – one of the biggest contributors to agricultural emissions."
Boosting greenhouse yields with StimBlue+
For controlled environment growers, StimBlue+ offers a promising solution to increase yields while minimizing input costs. "StimBlue+ contains natural polysaccharides, including alginates, which boost nutrient absorption. This leads to increased crop yields and better-quality produce with fewer chemical inputs," he explains.
One success story comes from Greencrisp Farm in Namibia, where grower ambassador Antonie Koekemoer tested StimBlue+ on his cucumber crops. "We did two applications on cucumbers with 2L/Ha at the start of the season. StimBlue+ increased my yield by 4.7%. If I had sprayed my whole greenhouse, revenue would have increased by $1.2449 USD," he reports.
Photo right: StimBlue Bottle
The positive results are backed by science. "We invest over $500,000 annually in field trials with accredited research institutions and universities," Valentin highlights.
Trials in collaboration with AgriGeos demonstrated that under stress conditions, plants treated with StimBlue+ consistently outperformed those without. "Whether it's nutrient deficiency or drought stress, our biostimulant keeps plants resilient and productive," he adds.
Certified for quality and sustainability
"StimBlue+ is registered in 36 countries and has acquired the CE mark, ensuring product safety and quality. Additionally, we've received EcoCert certification, confirming that our product contains 100% natural ingredients, and EU organic certification," he says proudly.
This certification reassures growers that they are using a product that aligns with global sustainability standards while boosting crop performance. "Reducing synthetic fertilizer use not only cuts costs but also significantly reduces carbon emissions. StimBlue+ helps growers achieve that balance."
New products and market expansion
Kelp Blue had a strong 2024 and has ambitious plans for 2025. "The positive trial results in 2024 meant we could successfully develop five new products, including StimBlue+ Almonds, StimBlue+ Strawberry, StimBlue+ Home and Garden, and StimBlue+ Corn for open field," he reveals. These new products aim to cater to different crop types and expand their reach to home gardeners and commercial greenhouse growers.
"Our main focus in 2025 will be on expanding in Europe," he adds. "Now that we've secured CE and EcoCert certifications, we want to support more greenhouse growers and open-field farmers across the continent."
Direct support for growers
Ensuring growers get the most out of StimBlue+ is a priority for Kelp Blue. "We have a dedicated technical team that speaks over 10 languages, providing hands-on support to our growers," he emphasizes. "Our local agronomists guide growers on application rates, timing, and troubleshooting, ensuring optimal results."
Kelp Blue also works closely with distributors. "We personally train our distributors' technical sales teams, ensuring they have deep product knowledge. This way, growers can always access expert advice," he adds.
The future of seaweed in agriculture
As agriculture trends shift toward sustainability, Kelp Blue believes seaweed biostimulants will become a standard in farming practices. "We're seeing more growers moving away from traditional chemical inputs and embracing natural solutions," Valentin notes. "However, with wild kelp harvesting facing increasing restrictions, Kelp Blue's scalable and stable supply of cultivated seaweed ensures growers have a reliable and sustainable source."
For growers interested in StimBlue+, Valentin recommends reaching out through their local distributors or directly contacting Valentin, Kelp Blue's Head of Agri Business, at valentin.pitiot@kelp.blue .
For more information:
Kelp Blue
Valentin Pitiot, Head of Agribusiness
valentin.pitiot@kelp.blue
Anouk Bosman, Head of Marketing
anouk.bosman@kelp.blue
www.kelp.blue