Village Farms Expands Medical Cannabis Reach to New Zealand

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Village Farms International, Inc. (“Village Farms” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: VFF) has officially entered the New Zealand market with its first shipment of medical cannabis. The shipment, managed through its wholly-owned subsidiary Pure Sunfarms, includes Pink Kush, a leading cannabis strain that has dominated the Canadian market for the past four years.

Strategic Partnership with Medleaf Therapeutics

Village Farms has partnered with Medleaf Therapeutics, a well-established medical cannabis distributor in New Zealand. Medleaf will distribute Pure Sunfarms’ products under its ‘Bloom’ brand, which has been developed specifically for the New Zealand market. Medleaf collaborates with clinics and healthcare practitioners nationwide, ensuring widespread access to high-quality medical cannabis.

With the New Zealand medical cannabis market expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 58% by 2030, this expansion marks a significant step for Village Farms in tapping into emerging global cannabis markets.

CEO Statements on the Expansion

Michael DeGiglio, CEO of Village Farms, emphasized the importance of this strategic move: “Pink Kush has played a crucial role in the success of our Canadian cannabis operations, and its growing international demand aligns with our global expansion strategy. Partnering with Medleaf enables us to bring our trusted cannabis products to an evolving medical cannabis market in New Zealand.”

Courtney Letica, CEO of Medleaf Therapeutics, echoed this enthusiasm: “We are excited to introduce Canada’s best-selling cannabis strain to New Zealand patients. Pure Sunfarms’ Pink Kush has a proven track record, and we are confident it will serve the medical needs of our patients.”

About Medleaf Therapeutics

Founded in 2018, Medleaf Therapeutics is a leading supplier of medical cannabis in New Zealand. The company focuses exclusively on branding, distribution, and sales, partnering with well-established Canadian suppliers such as Pure Sunfarms to provide market-proven medical cannabis products to local patients.

About Village Farms International

Village Farms International is a vertically integrated Controlled Environment Agriculture-based company with decades of experience in high-value plant-based consumer goods. The company has established itself as a major player in both the fresh produce and cannabis markets, with a presence in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

In Canada, Pure Sunfarms is one of the largest cannabis operations, known for its high-quality greenhouse-grown products. The company also holds an 80% stake in Quebec-based Rose LifeScience, a key player in cannabis product commercialization.

Internationally, Village Farms is expanding into emerging cannabis markets. With active operations in Germany, the UK, Israel, Australia, and now New Zealand. The company’s EU GMP-certified facility in Canada ensures compliance with international quality standards, allowing for seamless global distribution.

A Growing Global Presence

With its latest expansion into New Zealand, Village Farms continues to solidify its international footprint in the medical cannabis sector. The company’s strategic partnerships, commitment to quality. And expertise in greenhouse cannabis cultivation position it as a global leader in the evolving cannabis industry.