Demand for watermelons is growing steadily, partly thanks to hot summers. The yellow varieties from Rijk Zwaan’s seedless Tropical® range help growers to capitalise on this growth and set themselves apart with an eye-catching product. And according to Vincent van Wolferen, Crop Co-ordinator for Melon & Watermelon, this is easier than they might expect

From 2–4 September 2026, fruit and vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan will welcome growers, traders, retailers and foodservice partners to Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong (Stand Hall 5, 05A02).

Thanks to hot summers, demand for watermelons is growing steadily. With the yellow varieties from Rijk Zwaan’s seedless Tropical® range, retailers can add a surprising twist to this category and drive further growth. “Consumers are enthusiastic about our yellow watermelon,” notes Marketing Specialist Heleen van Rijn-Wassenaar.

Over two weeks, Rijk Zwaan’s CED La Palma demonstration centre in Cartagena (Spain) welcomed nearly 300 professionals from across the value chain to discover the latest melon and watermelon solutions and explore new opportunities to drive category growth.

Since early June, Tatayoyo has been available at Ekoplaza, a 100%-organic supermarket chain in the Netherlands. “This orange pepper is aromatic, slightly larger than a snack pepper and very versatile. It’s a great way to surprise our customers with something new. They also like the story behind it: broad, local collaboration,” says Loes Hageman, Fresh Produce Category Manager at organic wholesaler Udea.

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. 

Rijk Zwaan is taking the next step in its international growth with the opening of a new subsidiary in South Korea. With this expansion, the international fruit and vegetable breeding company aims to respond more effectively to the rapidly growing demand for high-quality vegetable varieties and to strengthen its service towards local customers.

At the Global Melon & Watermelon Event in Spain, Rijk Zwaan is presenting two new Galuna™ melon varieties that are also resistant against races 6 and 7 of Podosphaera xanthii (Px). These are exciting times for Breeder Alba Garcia Martinez and her team, who have been intensively involved with the varieties over the past years: “We are very eager to hear growers’ reactions. I believe we have succeeded in selecting Galia melon varieties that combine resistance against powdery mildew with vigour while also meeting our high Galuna standards for taste and quality.” In this Q&A, she answers five questions about the journey so far and the path ahead.

For the upcoming season, Rijk Zwaan will introduce two new Galia melon varieties in the Galuna™ line under the Px Defense label. This label is used exclusively for the new, extended resistance against powdery mildew, including races 6 and 7. This unique resistance spectrum helps growers cultivate healthier crops and offer their customers high quality, sustainably produced melons. “Melon growers across the Mediterranean have been waiting for this,” say members of the Spanish team of melon specialists, who were closely involved in this innovation.