Rijk Zwaan, an international fruit and vegetable breeding company, is celebrating its first centenary. Since its foundation in 1924, Rijk Zwaan has grown into a global player active in more than 100 countries. The centenary celebrations kicked off on 1 July, the exact date that the company was originally founded.

On 1 July, the European committee of the International Bremia Evaluation Board (IBEB-EU) published three widely occurring new variants of downy mildew in lettuce: Bl:38EU, Bl:39EU and Bl:40EU. A considerable number of Rijk Zwaan’s current lettuce varieties are resistant to these three new races.

The new snack pepper brand Tatayoyo has won the Fruit Logistica Innovation Award 2023! We at Rijk Zwaan are extremely honoured for this recognition of fresh produce professionals’ enthusiasm for Tatayoyo.

The Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus or ToBRFV has been causing major economic losses in tomato cultivation worldwide. Rijk Zwaan’s team of researchers found new, unique genetics resulting in a high resistance level to ToBRFV.

Rijk Zwaan celebrates a new edition of its most international melon and watermelon field days. This year we are once again adapting the format of the event so that the visitor can attend, both in person and virtually, to our Rijk Zwaan CED La Palma in Cartagena. From 28 June to 9 July 2021.

Downy mildew is a major threat in lettuce. The fungus can damage the lettuce leaves in both protected and open-field crops, resulting in a loss of yield. Last year the European Commission of the International Bremia Evaluation Board (IBEB-EU) identified a widely occurring new variant of downy mildew in lettuce. As of 1 June 2021, it has officially been named Bl:37EU. The large majority of Rijk Zwaan’s current lettuce varieties are resistant to the new race of downy mildew.

The business started 25 years ago by Herman and Mari Malan. Since then Herman and Mari's daughter, Hanna-Mari and her husband Christof moved back to the farm in 2009. The farm is situated in Patensie, Eastern Cape.

In line with today’s busy lifestyles, people are increasingly eating out for breakfast or lunch as well as dinner. Trendy fast-food chains offer a range of healthy juices, salads and sandwiches all day long. Needless to say, a healthy sandwich isn’t complete without a salad garnish. Vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan’s Sandwich Range includes the perfect lettuce leaf for every occasion.

Nowadays, every fast-food chain and company canteen has a choice of salads on the menu, often with tempting names such as Veggie Delight, Thai Chicken Salad or Crunchy Caesar Salad. One indispensable ingredient is cos lettuce or iceberg lettuce. A unique innovation that ensures fresh-cut lettuce stays fresh for longer has recently opened up new opportunities for the foodservice market.