Year-round top product
Within endive, two main types can be distinguished: smooth-leaved endive, which is used raw in salads as well as cooked, and frisée endive, mainly popular in salads. Rijk Zwaan has a wide range for both types for all seasons, so that a top product can be grown year-round. We also take account of specific consumer preferences in different countries in this. We have blonde types as well, for instance, which are popular in S Europe in particular.

Strong in hot and cold conditions
In our breeding work with endive we look for varieties that are strong against the cold in spring and varieties that can take a little bit of extra heat in summer. Tipburn is also a major attention point. Especially in frisée, which often ends up in salads, tipburn must be prevented from making the product unattractive. In our selection work we therefore look for varieties that are naturally strong against this. Shelf life and colour are also important attention points.

Shelf life
Because endive is incorporated in salads more and more frequently, the accents in breeding are changing. Being strong against tipburn, for instance, is increasingly important, but so is shelf life. The aim is to always offer consumers a good product. For growers we continue to work on reliability as well, in order to contribute to a good financial result.

For information about our varieties visit our subsidiary in your region