Rijk Zwaan is a global, family-owned vegetable and fruit breeding company that develops high-quality seeds for the professional agri-food sector. Operating in over 100 countries, it focuses on innovation to improve crop yield and sustainability.
Rijk Zwaan is a global, family-owned vegetable and fruit breeding company that develops high-quality seeds for the professional agri-food sector. Founded in 1924 and headquartered in the Netherlands, the company operates in over 100 countries. They utilize advanced breeding techniques, including data-driven research, digital phenotyping, and artificial intelligence, to develop crop varieties that offer higher yields, natural disease resistance, and resilience to climate change. Their breeding programs focus on over 30 different types of crops, such as lettuce, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, and cabbage, which are developed to suit local growing conditions and market demands worldwide.
The company plays a vital role in the global food supply chain by providing farmers and growers with reliable, innovative seed varieties that improve sustainability and productivity. By working closely with value chain partners, they aim to stimulate fruit and vegetable consumption through improved taste, texture, and nutritional value. Rijk Zwaan operates with an emphasis on corporate social responsibility and a long-term perspective, supporting growers in high-tech greenhouse, protected cultivation, and open-field farming environments. In 2024, the company celebrated its centenary and was awarded the honorary royal title 'Koninklijk' in recognition of its long-standing contribution to innovation and entrepreneurship.