Two parties have lodged their interest in buying the assets of failed West Otago horticultural company Tulip International and it is understood a sale could be confirmed soon.
The joint receiver for the Tapanui operation, Murray Frost, of Deloitte, said both interested parties were from the Otago-Southland catchment but he declined to identify them.
Receivers were in talks with both and Mr Frost hoped there would be some progress soon.
"It is a reasonably unique operation."
Once the darling of the southern horticultural scene, the Tapanui company employed 26 full-time and about 100 casual workers at its peak six years ago, but hit hard times when export orders dried up.
It was placed in receivership four years ago but the business was leased to another producer, Global Bulbs Ltd, which holds a lease until May 2012.
The 8.3ha site, on the southern outskirts of Tapanui, was advertised for tender last month. The property includes a three-bedroom house, large near-new workshop and offices, numerous coolstores and tunnel houses, and attracts annual rental income of $80,000.
