Rijk Zwaan, international fruit and vegetable growing company, celebrates its first centenary. Since its founding in 1924, Rijk Zwaan has become a global company active in more than 100 countries. Centennial celebrations began on July 1, the exact date the company was founded. During the festivities, the King's Commissioner made a stunning announcement: Rijk Zwaan has been awarded the honorary Dutch royal title 'Koninklijk' (Royal).

"After 100 years of entrepreneurship and innovation, Rijk Zwaan can be said to be of great importance for the future of humanity," says Jaap Smit, the King's Commissioner, during the festive start of the company's centenary celebration. breeding.

Ben Tax, one of the board members of Rijk Zwaan, commented: “We are delighted to receive this title. It is a symbol of social recognition and underlines the longevity of our company.

It is the maximum recognition of the efforts of all those involved. Because, above all, people are the heart and soul of Rijk Zwaan.”

A history marked by growth

The company's rich history begins when the founder, Mr. Rijk Zwaan himself, opened a seed store in Rotterdam in 1924. His focus on quality and innovation proved to be a recipe for success. For the first four decades, the focus was on the horticultural market in the Netherlands, but exports to neighboring countries gradually increased. In 1964, the first subsidiary was opened in Germany. This was followed by Rijk Zwaan France in 1982. Starting in the 1990s, the company expanded faster than anyone could have imagined.

Today, Rijk Zwaan has 4.000 employees and is present in more than 100 countries through more than 30 subsidiaries around the world. The headquarters are located in the Netherlands.

Positive social impact

Due to the growth of the world's population, especially in Africa and Asia, the demand for fruits and vegetables will continue to increase. Rijk Zwaan is ahead of this trend by developing fruit and vegetable varieties adapted to local climates, growing methods and consumer preferences.

In Tanzania, for example, the company has been growing specifically for the African market for fifteen years and is now also increasingly focusing on the Southeast Asian market from its facilities in Vietnam. Board member Marco van Leeuwen explains: “By growing improved local varieties, we aim to offer producers opportunities for higher yields. Then, to boost their sales, we connect them with processing companies and retailers. Ultimately, this gives more people access to fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables. “Seeds are not only the starting point for successful crops, but also for broader opportunities and possibilities.”

Continuous innovation

Every day, millions of people consume fruits and vegetables grown from Rijk Zwaan seeds. That responsibility inspires the company to focus on the future and continue to innovate for its customers and value chain partners. «Recently, we have expanded our activity towards the cultivation of tropical crops. At our growing facility in Brazil, we select fruit and vegetable varieties that thrive in a warm, humid climate with occasional heavy rain,” says board member Kees Reinink.

Additionally, earlier this year, Rijk Zwaan inaugurated a new berry growing facility in the Netherlands: strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. Kees Reinink: “This is another example of how we continue to be pioneers and break new ground.”

The first day of the next century

The motto of “moving forward” is firmly rooted in Rijk Zwaan's DNA. With his focus on innovation and progress, the company will continue to pursue a pioneering approach. The members of the board of directors thank all employees, customers and partners in the value chain for their contribution to the success so far and look forward to many more fruitful years of collaboration and growth in the next century.