News

Since last year, leek growers have had more varieties to choose from. Rijk Zwaan is aiming to play a serious role in this important crop, following an intensive period of development work. It has initially launched four strong new varieties that pave the way for a complete portfolio of hybrid leek varieties, that helps leek growers to address today’s challenges. Here, three key Rijk Zwaan employees discuss the importance of collaboration, their drive to support customers’ future growth, and the company’s ambitions.

The new Training & Demonstration Centre HortiSenegal project kicked off in Kirene, Senegal, on 9 March. In this initiative by vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan and co-funded by the Dutch government, a consortium of companies will provide training to local farmers. The goal is not only to increase the cultivation of fresh and food-safe vegetables in Senegal, but also to generate a better income for growers.

Construction work is now underway on a new Rijk Zwaan facility for the treatment and storage of vegetable seeds. This marks a further expansion of the vegetable breeding company’s existing facilities in De Lier, the Netherlands. The new building is expected to be fully operational by spring 2025.

Vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan and an Italian seed company have settled in respect of a long-running litigation before the Court of Modena, Italy. This Italian company had been accused of reproducing and marketing seeds of Rijk Zwaan lettuce varieties, which are protected by plant breeders’ rights. The two companies reached an agreement on all civil aspects in respect of the case.

In the latest video in ‘The future is sky’ series, Rijk Zwaan highlights its partnership with Greenhouse Sisters for Carapaz RZ, Rijk Zwaan’s labour-friendly and powdery mildew-resistant cucumber variety. Martin de Hoog, cucumber grower at Greenhouse Sisters, explains the intensive collaboration with Rijk Zwaan and shares details of his experiences with Carapaz RZ.

The new snack pepper brand Tatayoyo has won the Fruit Logistica Innovation Award 2023! The Dutch vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan is extremely honoured for this recognition of fresh produce professionals’ enthusiasm for Tatayoyo. This unique ready-to-eat pepper with bursting flavours is one of Rijk Zwaan’s inspiring innovations for the vegetable category showcased at Fruit Logistica 2023.

During the upcoming edition of the Winter Open Field Days, Rijk Zwaan is addressing new market demands by providing innovative solutions with one main objective: to improve the entire value chain. Longer shelf life, more reliable yields, increased resistance and no compromise on taste – all these factors contribute to steady progress.

From 1-10 February, Rijk Zwaan will be hosting its Winter Leafy Hydroponics High Tech Demo again in the Netherlands. This year’s demo features Rijk Zwaan’s hydroponics assortment, Salatrio and high-density loose-leaf solutions, all under artificial light to cope with the challenging winter conditions. The demo has been conveniently scheduled in parallel with the upcoming Fruit Logistica in Berlin, making it a great opportunity for horticultural professionals from all over the world to see the latest concepts for themselves.

‘Freshly Forward, from Foundation to Future’ – this is the theme Rijk Zwaan has chosen to encapsulate its roadmap for tackling today’s challenges. The vegetable breeding company is moving Freshly Forward both with and for partners in the entire fresh value chain, because fresh solutions hold the key to meeting many of today’s demands. Its robust and resilient solutions as well as inspiring innovations will be on display at Fruit Logistica, the leading meeting place for fresh chain professionals from around the world, in Berlin from 8-10 February 2023. Join Rijk Zwaan in moving Freshly Forward!

The Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus or ToBRFV has been causing major economic losses in tomato cultivation worldwide. Rijk Zwaan’s team of researchers found new, unique genetics resulting in a high resistance level to ToBRFV.