News - 17-06-2026
Rijk Zwaan opens breeding station in Brazil
Rijk Zwaan is proud to announce the opening of a new open-field breeding station in Mogi Mirim, Brazil. This modern facility marks an important step in the company’s ambition to develop fruit and vegetable varieties tailored to tropical climates. The Breeding Station Mogi Mirim has been operational since August 2024 and was officially opened on 16 June 2026 in the presence of clients, partners, stakeholders and colleagues.
New step in global breeding activities
In recent years, forty hectares of agricultural land in Brazil have been developed into a future-proof breeding location. This expansion strengthens Rijk Zwaan’s global research network and contributes to the development of high-quality fruit and vegetable varieties for growers in tropical regions.
Breeding for the tropics, in the tropics
To develop strong and reliable vegetable varieties for tropical regions, local selection is essential. At the new location, breeders can select for resilience to local fungi, bacteria, viruses and tropical rainfall.“Developing innovative varieties that perform well in tropical climates requires selection under exactly those conditions,” says Managing Director Martijn Eggink. “With this location, we now have the space and the environment to make that possible.”
Pioneering and learning together
“Establishing a large-scale breeding location in the tropics required a pioneering mindset,” explains Lionel Bardin, Managing Director of Rijk Zwaan Brasil. “Experience from other locations could not be applied one-to-one. That is why the team combined knowledge from across the organisation with local insights, learning and adjusting as we went.”The result is a fully operational breeding location that enables Rijk Zwaan to further expand its tropical breeding programmes.Rijk Zwaan Brasil has been active in the Brazilian market since 2006. This ensures close connections with growers, retailers and chain partners, and strengthens the link between breeding and market needs.
Contributing to the global food supply
As the global population continues to grow, the demand for fruit and vegetables is increasing. Rijk Zwaan contributes to this challenge by developing varieties that help growers increase productivity and produce healthy fruit and vegetables in a sustainable way. By investing in local breeding programmes – including this new location in Brazil – the company strengthens its ability to support growers worldwide.