Rijk Zwaan celebrates 100 years of people, pioneering and ‘moving forward’

Positive social impact

Due to the growing world population, especially in Africa and Asia, the demand for fruits and vegetables will continue to rise. Rijk Zwaan is staying ahead of this trend by developing fruit and vegetable varieties that are adapted to local climates, cultivation methods and consumer preferences.

In Tanzania, for example, the company has been breeding specifically for the African market for 15 years, and is now also increasingly focusing on the southeast Asian market from its facility in Vietnam. Board member Marco van Leeuwen explains: “By breeding improved local varieties, we aim to offer growers opportunities to obtain higher yields. Then, to boost their sales, we connect them with processing companies and retailers. Ultimately, this gives more people access to fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables. Seeds are not only the starting point for successful crops, but also for broader opportunities and possibilities.”

Continuous innovation

Every day, millions of people eat fruits and vegetables grown from Rijk Zwaan’s seeds. That responsibility inspires the company to focus on the future and continue innovating for its customers and value chain partners. “Recently, we’ve expanded into breeding tropical crops. At our breeding facility in Brazil, we select fruit and vegetable varieties that thrive in a hot and humid climate with the occasional heavy rain shower,” says board member Kees Reinink.

Additionally, earlier this year, Rijk Zwaan opened a new breeding facility in the Netherlands for berries: strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. Kees Reinink: “That’s another example of how we continue pioneering and breaking new ground.”

The first day of the next century

The motto of ‘moving forward’ is firmly embedded in Rijk Zwaan’s DNA. With its focus on innovation and progress, the company will continue to pursue a pioneering approach. The board members are grateful to all employees, customers and value chain partners for their contribution to the success so far, and are looking forward to many more fruitful years of collaboration and growth in the coming century.