Matsui Nursery
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Floral industry, Plant nursery |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder | Toshikiyo Andy Matsui |
| Headquarters | Salinas, California , United States |
Area served | Domestic and international markets |
Key people | Teresa Matsui (President and CEO) |
| Products | Potted orchid plants |
Matsui Nursery is a privately held enterprise located in California that focuses on the cultivation of potted orchid plants.
History
Toshikiyo Andy Matsui, originally from Japan and born in 1935, relocated to California in 1961 to explore agricultural ventures. In 1969, he acquired a 50-acre property near Salinas, California, where he initially grew chrysanthemums and roses. Due to rising competition in traditional floral markets, Matsui shifted his focus to orchids in 1998, eventually becoming the largest global producer of potted orchids.
In March 2015, Teresa Matsui, his daughter, was named president and CEO of Matsui Nursery.
Operations
After the strategic move to specialize in potted orchids in 1998, Matsui Nursery became a pioneer in introducing orchid programs to U.S. grocery retail. The company produces millions of orchids annually, representing hundreds of different varieties, cultivated within 75 acres of greenhouse facilities. At any given moment, around 10 million plants are under production. Matsui distributes its orchids both domestically and internationally. The entire growth period from initial sprouting to retail availability spans two to three years.
Matsui Foundation
The Matsui Foundation was created in 2004 to provide educational grants benefiting employees and their families. In 2013, it contributed $1 million to the CSin3 initiative, which supports farm-worker children earning computer science degrees through collaborations with CSUMB and Hartnell College. The inaugural class graduated in 2016, supporting Salinas' ambition to develop as an agricultural technology center.
In 2017, Teresa Matsui donated 215 acres of farmland near Salinas—appraised at $20 million and leased for strawberry farming—to Hartnell College. This donation represents the largest gift ever received by the college foundation and generates about $500,000 yearly in lease revenue.