Breeding specialist said growth occurred across virtually all of its active regions and crops
Rijk Zwaan has reported on “stable growth” for the 2025/26 financial year, with revenue climbing 7.5 per cent to a net annual total of €735mn.
The fruit and vegetable breeding company noted that growth was seen across virtually all of its active regions and crops.
Net profit also increased year-on-year, the Netherlands-based group said, up to €90mn from €60mn in 2024/25.
“Stability is a hallmark of our business operations,” said Ben Tax, Rijk Zwaan board member.
“Our primary objective is to offer employees a job for life, and financial stability plays an essential part in this.
“It enables us to continue investing in our employees, in innovation and in sustainable solutions for the world food supply,” he outlined.
The group highlighted some of the concepts it has launched over the past year, including aphid-resistant iceberg lettuce varieties, cabbage varieties optimised for mechanised harvesting and processing, and ‘Candy Ball’ watermelons.
”These examples illustrate how the company is responding to needs across the entire fresh value chain: from more sustainable cultivation methods and more efficient processing, to products that tie in with consumer preferences,” it stated.
Rijk Zwaan has also expanded its worldwide network to remain close to its customers and keep pace with market developments, it continued.
The company has opened a new breeding station in Brazil to develop varieties suitable for tropical and subtropical climates, while in South Korea, a new Rijk Zwaan subsidiary has been set up to better serve that market.
Another of the company’s newly opened facilities is the Trial Centre Open Field in the Netherlands, where customers and value chain partners can see and experience new varieties and cultivation concepts for open-field crops such as lettuce, brassicas and leeks under real-world conditions.
”These investments further strengthen Rijk Zwaan’s worldwide network, which spans more than a hundred countries and is built on close collaboration with growers, processing companies, retailers and other partners in the fresh value chain,” the group commented.
”In addition to being physically present, the company utilises digital methods to share knowledge within its international network and stay close to customers.
”Examples include making its crop data available to growers, selling its seeds online in an increasing number of countries, and providing digital access to technical knowledge through e-learning modules.
The company pointed out that, in a world facing geopolitical tensions, changing trade routes and logistical challenges, it remains particularly important to develop reliable and future-proof solutions for fruit and vegetable production.
“It is precisely against this dynamic backdrop that we aim to be a stabilising force,” added Tax.
“We do this together with our colleagues and partners across the globe. This is how we – and our seeds – will continue to build a stable foundation for the world’s food supply.”
