Rijk Zwaan

Vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan is looking to make an impact this year with its convenience line, as the company gives special attention to the sector with a separate product line, website and a convenience catalogue.

Company director Anton van Doornmalen said that he envisaged 'bigprospects' for the convenience segment, and that he would focus on theimportance of collaboration between growers, processors and Rijk Zwaanduring a presentation at the Freshconex Congress, which takes place on3 February at the Berlin Exhibition Ground in Germany.

Additionally, he will talk to delegates about the challenges that thegroup faces in its breeding work specifically aimed at creatingconvenience varieties, and will give his verdict on the future of thefresh-cut market.

The Dutch group will again showcase its range of products at Fruit Logistica in Berlin on 4-6 February, with a particular focus on Salanova lettuce – winner of the Fruit Logistica Innovation Award in 2006 – and Caribbean convenience concepts.

'This extra attention for the fresh-cut market is possible by alwaysbeing up-to-date with market demands,' the group said in a statement. 'This enablesRijk Zwaan to develop varieties with the specific traits theconvenience sector requires.'