On 1 July, the European working group of the International Bremia Evaluation Board (IBEB-EU) did not denominate a new race of downy mildew in lettuce. 

Across the globe, most people consistently eat too few vegetables. That’s why Veggies First has been launched: an international movement dedicated to increasing vegetable consumption.

The start of lettuce production in a new high-tech greenhouse marked a major milestone for Panvita, one of Slovenia’s leading sustainable food producers. “We are very satisfied with Rijk Zwaan’s support, both during the construction phase and later during production,” say David Medvar and Simona Petek Čerpnjak from Panvita.

Organic growers can depend on Rijk Zwaan’s latest lettuce varieties that have a comprehensive package of Bremia resistances and are robust in stressful conditions. All the newcomers, along with the rest of the range for the organic market, are presented in a new leaflet. Client Manager David Pape highlights some of the most exciting new varieties for him and his customers in southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

At Rijk Zwaan, we believe that real growth starts with care and collaboration. It’s through attention and partnership that we build the strong connections that drive sustainable growth — between growers, horticultural investors, retailers, and the unique solutions that emerge from our fruit and vegetable seeds.

In horticulture, there is a continuous focus on finding ways to improve efficiency and sustainability. One significant advancement has been the introduction of plants that are easier to work with. These plants are selected to reduce the physical demands on growers during cultivation and harvesting. In this interview with pepper breeders Ioannis Dimitrakopoulos and Silvia Corella Borrás, we explore the role of breeding in developing labour-friendly plants. 

Rijk Zwaan is proud to announce the opening of a new facility in De Lier. This expansion increases the fruit and vegetable breeding company’s capacity for seed cleaning, processing, storage and packaging to continue to meet the growing demand for seeds. In a ceremony attended by colleagues, construction partners and Bouke Arends, mayor of the Municipality of Westland, the new ‘Seed Connect Centre’ was officially opened on Tuesday 8 April.

Austrian consumers can now enjoy organically grown snack peppers with a unique tropical flavour all year round. Both grower Veganis and an Austrian retailer were so impressed by the award-winning Tatayoyo that they recently joined forces to add it to the retailer’s premium organic range. Gregor Hoffmann, Client Manager at Rijk Zwaan Welver, explains how it was achieved.

When pl­ants suffer stress due to cold, hea­t, soil salinity or a lack of fresh wa­ter, it results in lower production. That’s why we develop varieties that thrive in hot, dry conditions. In this blog, Ehab Aboukheir, Team Leader Seed Technology Research, shares more about our research into abiotic stress, and how this guides our continuous improvement activities.