What began as a solution for rain cracking in cherries has grown into a broader vision for crop resilience, fruit quality and the future of plant cuticle care.

Founded in 2011, Cultiva set out to help specialty crop growers protect high-value fruit from environmental stress. Fifteen years later, the company has expanded its portfolio of plant cuticle care solutions, entered new crops and markets, and built a global network of growers, distributors and research partners.

At the center of that journey is SureSeal™, a proprietary, food-grade biofilm technology developed in partnership with Oregon State University. What began as an innovative approach to reducing rain cracking in cherries has shaped Cultiva’s broader understanding of how supporting the plant cuticle can help crops withstand stress, protect quality and improve marketable yield.

A breakthrough that changed the approach to crop protection

A defining early milestone came in 2012, when Cultiva obtained an exclusive global license from Oregon State University to develop and market SureSeal, the first food-grade biofilm technology of its kind.

Unlike conventional wax-based coatings, SureSeal was designed to supplement the plant’s natural cuticle with a lipid bilayer. Its plant-based components are similar to those found in the natural cuticle of fruit and foliage, creating a new approach to helping plants manage environmental and physiological stress.

The technology became the foundation for Cultiva’s first commercial product. In 2013, the company launched Parka^® to help sweet cherry growers reduce rain cracking, a persistent challenge affecting fruit quality, marketable yield and profitability.

The partnership between Oregon State University and Cultiva brought research-driven technology to the orchard and established the foundation for the company’s continued innovation.

Research that keeps opening new doors

As growers began using Parka, Cultiva continued exploring the role of the plant cuticle in how fruit and foliage respond to environmental conditions. Research and field experience revealed opportunities to support crops proactively against a range of stresses affecting quality, productivity and yield.

That work helped expand Parka beyond cherries into other high-value crops, including citrus, apples, pears, blueberries, grapes, nuts, peppers, tomatoes and strawberries. Its benefits expanded, as well. Growers use Parka proactively to help reduce cracking, increase heat stress tolerance, mitigate sunburn damage and reduce other fruit quality issues.

Parka remains a cornerstone of Cultiva’s portfolio, but the applications and continued investments in research to explore what the technology can do are an ongoing process.

“Our growth has been driven by what we continue to learn,” said Luis Hernandez, CEO, Cultiva. “Every research project and field trial helps us better understand the role of the plant cuticle and the ways our technology can support crop performance. That ongoing discovery is what allows us to develop new solutions and identify new opportunities for growers.”

In 2023, Cultiva launched Kallur^®, a harvest aid designed to improve harvest productivity and overall fruit color.

Composed of potassium in an enhanced phospholipid formulation, Kallur is used in crops including apples, cherries, table grapes and citrus. It addresses a longstanding challenge for growers: achieving more uniform color while maintaining fruit quality. By helping growers improve color development without accelerating ripeness, Kallur can support first-pick potential while retaining fruit firmness and post-harvest shelf life.

Together, Parka and Kallur reflect Cultiva’s continued investment in developing effective, research-driven solutions for the diverse needs of specialty crop growers.

Growing into new crops, markets and opportunities

Cultiva’s growth has also been shaped by collaboration and relationships in new markets. Since its founding, the company has expanded its international presence, serving growers and producers across the United States, South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

In 2026, the company announced its expansion into Brazil as a licensed company, bringing Parka and Kallur to one of the world’s most dynamic agricultural markets, representing another important milestone in Cultiva’s global growth. With an upcoming launch in Peru, the company is extending its reach into markets where growers are seeking innovative approaches to crop quality and stress management.

Each new market brings different crops, climates and growing conditions — and new opportunities to learn from growers around the world and deepen understanding of the plant cuticle’s role in crop performance.

Fifteen years of progress — and a future of possibility

Cultiva’s 15-year journey is defined by a series of meaningful milestones: the company founding, its partnership with Oregon State University, the launch of Parka, expansion into new crops, the introduction of Kallur and a growing international footprint.

As Cultiva looks ahead, its vision remains clear: to lead the emerging market of plant cuticle care and help growers protect high-value crops through innovative and environmentally responsible solutions. The next chapter will be shaped by the same principles that have guided the company from the beginning — curiosity, collaboration and a commitment to turning research into valuable solutions for growers.