Swiss chemical and seed company Syngenta AG (NYSE: SYT) has signed an agreement to sell U.S.-based melon company Dulcinea Farms for an undisclosed price.

The entity will be sold to another U.S.-based company, Pacific Trellis Fruit LLC , which markets and exports a range of fruits including grapes, stone fruit, kiwifruit, pome fruit and other products.

Syngenta took control of Dulcinea in 2005, shortly after the business was formed in 2004  in partnership with Tanimura & Antle to market proprietary mini-watermelon and specialty melon genetics.

A Syngenta release said Dulcinea would continue to grow and commercialize its current portfolio under the new ownership. This is backed by a long-term supply agreement where the Swiss company will continue to provide specialty seed varieties to the melon marketer.

"The sale will allow Syngenta to focus on bringing innovation to growers and the food value chain in our core Vegetables business," Syngenta chief operating officer Davor Pisk said in a release.

"Pacific Trellis is the best partner to provide Dulcinea with the expertise needed to achieve greater scale and long-term business growth."

The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

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