Rijk Zwaan's revenue from almost all of its products and regions has increased. Its market share of around 9% makes it one of the top four vegetable seed companies in the world. In addition, the workforce continues to grow; Under its own structure, Rijk Zwaan currently employs 3500 people, of which approximately 1450 are located in the Netherlands.
Vegetables and vegetable seeds are an important part of the food chain and form the basis of a healthy and rich diet. Ben Tax, Member of the Board of Directors of Rijk Zwaan, said: “It was the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic that determined the course of the last quarter of the 2019/2020 financial year. From an international perspective, this posed a number of logistical problems for us. It didn't take long for governments to realize how essential vegetable seeds are to the world's food stocks. Thanks to the 'Green Lanse' approach, international borders have remained open for our industry. While we sometimes make a few changes, as a company we have been able to keep our processes running so we can continue to supply vegetable seeds to our customers around the world.” says.
In 2019/2020 Rijk Zwaan invested 130 million euros in research and development, accounting for 27.5% of its annual revenue. The company, which has developed more than 1,500 different vegetable varieties, offers the producers varieties suitable for each climate zone, according to various production methods and consumer demands. “We make the demands and needs of the market the targets of our breeding programs. In our laboratories, we conduct research in the fields of biotechnology, seed quality and phytopathology in order to accelerate our breeding activities, examine the genetics of new traits and offer the best quality seeds to the producer.” Among the varieties that Rijk Zwaan launched last year were the fusarium-resistant cucumber varieties and the first hairless eggplant variety, which is more resistant to pest damage. The company has also responded to consumer trends by introducing fresh meal kits and a range of vegetables specifically designed for its organic range.
The increase in the number of new production facilities, research facilities and office buildings also emphasizes the vitality of the company. The new head office of Rijk Zwaan China, also a research and demo station, opened in May 2020. Construction of new plants in Chile and Poland was also completed in 2019/2020. This year, the construction of Rijk Zwaan's new tomato, pepper and eggplant breeding facility in De Lier, the company's largest new construction investment ever, will conclude.
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Today, Rijk Zwaan has its head office in De Lier and a Research and Development facility in Fijnaart, The Netherlands. Although it has more than 30 international subsidiaries around the world, its roots in the Netherlands date back to 1924. Since 1989, about 90% of this independent company has been owned by three families. The remaining 10% is owned by various members of the sector as shares. The company is famous for being loyal to its employees. Tax says, “The satisfaction of our employees is our number one priority. That's why we offer each of our 3,500 employees worldwide a job they can enjoy in a pleasant working environment with good opportunities and a permanent contract.”
“We have no doubts for the new fiscal year. However, different sales channels are responding differently to the COVID-19 pandemic. The longer the travel restrictions last, the bigger the problems we face. So it's a danger, of course, but not something we can't handle,” Tax says firmly. The opportunities this presents are not without their own: “We fully support the growing interest of the community in bringing healthy food to all. As a vegetable breeding company, we try to contribute to this cause by laying the foundations for healthy and attractive vegetables.”