About us

Employees

Around 3,900 highly motivated employees in more than 30 different countries find it both fun and rewarding to work on creating value-added products and services for our partners every day.

Company structure

Three families own approximately 90% of Rijk Zwaan. The remaining 10% of the company is owned by a large group of employees through the employee share scheme. Every year, each colleague has the chance to buy share certificates and hence to participate financially in Rijk Zwaan.

Long term vision

Rijk Zwaan was, is and always will be an independent enterprise. We are convinced that this form of enterprise offers the best starting point for success in the short and long term. The determination of the shareholders to continue as an autonomous company, together with our specific company culture, forms a strong motivation for Rijk Zwaan employees around the world.

Market position

Rijk Zwaan is the no. 4 vegetable breeding company in the world. We have more than 1,500 varieties in our assortment in more than 25 different vegetable crops. 

Sales structure

To sell our varieties, we opt for a local approach. Our seeds are sold through over 30 local subsidiaries. In countries where we do not have our own subsidiary, we work with distributors. All of these companies operate at the heart of their particular market and take local climate conditions and market conditions into account.

Innovation

In order to develop new varieties and supply top-quality seeds, continuous innovation is essential. 40 percent of our colleagues are actively involved in research and development, and we invest around 30 percent of our turnover in R&D each year.

People at the center

The vision of Ben, Kees and Marco

Shareholders and directors regard it as the company’s primary objective to offer our employees an enjoyable and lasting job with good terms of employment. This primary objective forms the basis from which our colleagues – in close collaboration with our partners – contribute to a healthy future.

Read their vision

People at the center

Natural growth by seizing opportunities

The history of Rijk Zwaan

Mr. Rijk Zwaan was a true entrepreneur. In 1924 he opened a shop selling vegetable, flower and crop seeds in Rotterdam and he soon started developing new vegetable varieties himself. In the decades since then, new generations have continued his work with tremendous enthusiasm.

Read this story