Discover our new sustainability brochure Doing Business with Respect: Environment 2025–2026, outlining our CSR pillars with a focus on environmental actions and ambitions. Learn how we address climate, water, biodiversity, circularity and a clean living environment.

Babyleaf spinach has become popular due to its versatility: from salads and stir-fries to pizza toppings and smoothies. Moreover, availability is rarely an issue, because this healthy and tasty vegetable can be found in a supermarket’s chilled section all year round. Thanks in part to Rijk Zwaan’s comprehensive product range, growers can fulfil year-round delivery promises to retailers. In the meantime, behind the scenes, Rijk Zwaan’s market specialists and breeders are already working on the babyleaf spinach of tomorrow. Climate change, disease resistance and hydroponics are just some of the factors they need to consider.

February saw us heading to Nuremberg in Germany to discover all that BIOFACH had to offer. With no less than 140 participating countries and 3,500 exhibitors, this is the fair for professionals in the organic sector. Trends and developments in bio and the latest concepts in organic food, BIOFACH 2020 had it all.

There is an ever-growing labour shortage in the global horticulture sector, especially for physically demanding and repetitive work. Mechanisation is no longer just a matter of efficiency, but is also becoming increasingly important for business continuity. That is why Rijk Zwaan is continuously conducting research to develop plants that save labour and are aligned with new cultivation techniques. One way to do this is by looking closely at the plant structure. This is producing wide-ranging solutions.

Rijk Zwaan is looking forward to welcoming Fruit Logistica attendees to its booth (Hall 1.2, Stand D-13) where they can explore how innovation can strengthen shared success in the fresh produce chain. Supporting further knowledge sharing during Fruit Logistica, experts from the fruit and vegetable breeding company will contribute to two panel discussions. Additionally, industry partners can arrange to visit the Rijk Zwaan Retail Centre – the company’s own retail experience facility in Berlin.

Blue Leaf™ in cucumbers is not just one visual trait or a plant type. It is a set of traits that we are continuously further improving. Thanks to the resilience and robustness of the varieties, growers can depend on a secure harvest. Meanwhile, retailers benefit from a consistent and reliable supply. Javier López Rodríguez, Crop Co-ordinator Cucumber at Rijk Zwaan, explains how this innovation is driving sustainability, which is one of Rijk Zwaan’s key themes at Fruit Logistica 2026.

Fruit and vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan has secured 12^th place in this year’s R&D Top 50, the annual ranking of Dutch companies based on investment in research and development. The list, compiled by TNO and VNO-NCW, emphasises the importance of R&D for achieving economic growth, driving technological progress and tackling social challenges such as the energy transition and digital transformation.

Rijk Zwaan grew its sales by 9% in the 2024/2025 financial year, taking the annual total to €684 million. The growth occurred across virtually all of the fruit and vegetable breeding company’s active regions and crops.

By working in partnership with Rijk Zwaan, growers gain early access to the newest resistant varieties. This is of strategic importance to help them meet retailers’ needs and add value for consumers. One example is Anizalla RZ, the new ToBRFV-resistant mini-plum truss variety that is already being grown commercially for sale in Germany and the UK. “We care about bringing varieties to the retail market that add value for consumers in terms of flavour and visual appeal,” says Maarten van der Leeden, Client Manager Sales at Rijk Zwaan in the Netherlands.