Product Offerings
Product Categories:
seeds, seed
Products:
Vegetable seeds: Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, cabbage, others
Media Gallery
Rijk Zwaan Celebrating a Century in Business What's Ahead?:
Rijk Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel B.V., headquartered in De Lier, Netherlands, is a globally renowned vegetable breeding company that specializes in the development, production, and sale of high-quality vegetable seeds. Founded in 1924, Rijk Zwaan has grown into one of the world’s top five vegetable seed companies, driven by innovation, partnerships, and a people-centric approach to agriculture.
Core Business
The company’s core business lies in breeding and supplying vegetable seeds for professional growers across more than 100 countries. Rijk Zwaan is not involved in genetically modified organisms (GMOs); instead, it focuses on natural crossbreeding techniques to develop new varieties that meet the evolving needs of growers, retailers, and consumers.
Its breeding programs cover over 25 vegetable crops, including:
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Cucumber
- Sweet Pepper
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Radish
- Spinach
The company manages the entire chain from research and development to seed production and global sales, ensuring high quality, consistency, and traceability.
Product and Service Offerings
Rijk Zwaan provides a broad portfolio of vegetable seed varieties tailored for diverse climates, cultivation systems, and market preferences. Key segments include:
- Open Field Vegetables: Carrots, leeks, spinach, cabbages
- Protected Cultivation Crops: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers
- Convenience Products: Lettuce and leafy greens for ready-to-eat salads
- Specialty Segments: Innovations like Knox™ (slow-browning lettuce), MyCubies™ (snack cucumbers), and Sweet Palermo® (sweet pointed peppers)
Additional services include:
- Agronomic support and crop advice
- Collaborative innovation projects with partners in the food chain
- Tailored solutions for retailers and foodservice providers
Specialization and USP
Rijk Zwaan differentiates itself with a strong emphasis on:
- Non-GMO breeding using classical methods
- Open innovation: Partnering with food chains to develop demand-driven varieties
- Sustainability: Emphasis on disease resistance, water-use efficiency, and long shelf-life
- Quality Assurance: 100% of seeds tested for germination, purity, and plant health
- Varietal Innovations: Proprietary lines like Salanova®, Knox™, and One Cut™ lettuce
Their research and innovation programs represent approximately 30% of annual revenue, underscoring a heavy investment in long-term development.
Financials and Export Insights
Rijk Zwaan operates as a privately held company with no public financial disclosures, but data from company reports and third-party sources indicate:
- Annual Revenue: Approximately €500 million (2023 estimate)
- R&D Investment: Around €150 million annually
- Global Workforce: Over 4,000 employees in 30+ countries
- Production and Sales: Seeds exported to over 100 countries
- Top Export Markets: Spain, Italy, France, Mexico, China, India, USA, Brazil
The company maintains breeding and testing stations in over 15 countries, ensuring adaptability of varieties to local growing conditions.
Target Market
Rijk Zwaan caters to:
- Commercial Growers: Open-field and greenhouse cultivators
- Distributors & Nurseries: For regional supply chains
- Retail Chains & Foodservice: Through collaborative breeding for consumer traits
- Exporters & Packers: Offering long shelf-life, transport-resilient varieties
They target both developed markets (EU, North America) and emerging regions (Africa, Southeast Asia, South America), adapting their breeding focus accordingly.
Capabilities
- R&D Centers: Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Turkey, China, Mexico, and others
- Seed Processing Facilities: Netherlands, Tanzania, and others
- Biotechnology Labs: Advanced screening for disease resistance and plant vigor
- Knowledge Transfer: Farmer training programs, demo fields, and digital tools
- Collaborations: With universities, research institutes, retailers, and NGOs
Certifications and Compliance
Rijk Zwaan maintains high international standards and certifications, including:
- ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management systems
- ISF guidelines – For phytosanitary standards in seed movement
- ISTA accreditation – For seed testing
- GlobalG.A.P. collaboration – Supporting responsible production
- Naktuinbouw certification – Dutch inspection service for horticulture
The company is also active in international efforts for plant variety protection and responsible seed movement.
Customer Testimonials
“We’ve been working with Rijk Zwaan for over a decade. Their varietal quality and agronomic support are second to none.”
— Greenhouse Grower, Spain
“Our collaboration with Rijk Zwaan has allowed us to tailor vegetable offerings specifically for our market needs. Their approach is both scientific and people-centered.”
— Seed Distributor, India
Major Achievements
- Celebrated 100 years of operation in 2024, marking a century of innovation in horticulture
- Pioneered innovations like Salanova® and Knox™, redefining salad convenience worldwide
- Established demo centers and trial fields in over 25 countries for global knowledge exchange
- Top 5 vegetable breeding company globally, maintaining independence and long-term vision
- Received industry accolades for contributions to sustainable horticulture and innovation
Rijk Zwaan continues to lead in responsible vegetable breeding, integrating science, sustainability, and partnerships to feed a growing global population while enhancing the livelihood of farmers worldwide.