Key Takeaways:
- Rijk Zwaan reported a 6% increase in sales to €627 million in 2023/2024, with growth across multiple markets and crop types.
- The company invested a record €143 million in new infrastructure, including its forthcoming Seed Connect Centre for seed processing, set to open in spring 2025.
- R&D investments reached €191 million, focusing on innovation in breeding, including new facilities for berry development.
- Celebrating its 100th anniversary, Rijk Zwaan was granted the designation ‘Royal,’ highlighting its century-long contribution to agriculture.
Strong Financial Performance and Investment in Growth
Rijk Zwaan, a Dutch family-owned seed breeding company, announced a 6% sales increase in its 2023/2024 financial year, reaching €627 million. Director Ben Tax attributed the company’s stable growth across all markets and crop types, allowing the company to reinvest in future-focused projects and innovations.
Expansion of Production Capacity
During the 2023/2024 financial year, Rijk Zwaan allocated €143 million to expand production capacity, its largest investment to date. A significant portion of this went toward constructing the new Seed Connect Centre at the company’s headquarters in De Lier, the Netherlands. Set to open in spring 2025, the Seed Connect Centre will enhance Rijk Zwaan’s capacity for seed cleaning, processing, and packaging to meet rising demand for high-quality seeds worldwide.
Commitment to Innovation through R&D
The company also invested €191 million in research and development, representing nearly 30% of annual sales. This commitment supported milestones such as the opening of a dedicated breeding facility for strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries, designed to accelerate breeding programs for berry crops. Tax emphasized that R&D is integral to Rijk Zwaan’s mission, with innovation efforts aimed at meeting diverse global demands in fruit and vegetable production.
A Royal Centenary Milestone
On 1 July, Rijk Zwaan celebrated its 100th anniversary, a milestone commemorated with the designation of “Royal” by the King’s commissioner. This title, which is awarded to companies of longstanding significance in Dutch society, reflects Rijk Zwaan’s contributions to the agricultural sector. Tax expressed pride in this recognition, noting that the honor celebrates the dedication of Rijk Zwaan’s 4,000 employees across generations.
Outlook for the Future
Looking forward, Rijk Zwaan remains focused on providing growers, chain partners, and consumers with a broad selection of quality fruit and vegetable varieties. Tax conveyed optimism about the future, noting the company’s commitment to sustainable growth and continued innovation as it embarks on its second century in operation.
Rijk Zwaan Latest News
Unveils Advanced Breeding Greenhouse in Dinteloord (2024/06/25)
Rijk Zwaan has inaugurated its latest breeding greenhouse in Dinteloord, Netherlands, dedicated to research and development of new berry varieties. The state-of-the-art facility features advanced climate control systems, energy-efficient technologies, and sustainable practices. The greenhouse aims to accelerate the development of the company’s berry breeding program, which focuses on strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries. The facility also showcases strong collaboration between Rijk Zwaan and its construction partners.
Other News
Rijk Zwaan announced strong financial results for the 2022/2023 fiscal year, with an 11% increase in net turnover to €593 million. The company’s significant investment in research and development, totaling €180 million, reflects its commitment to innovation. The company has expanded its vegetable variety portfolio, ventured into berries, and made strategic investments for long-term growth. The company remains dedicated to sustainability and supports its nearly 4,000-strong workforce.
Rijk Zwaan announced on the 24th of April 2023 the launch of a breeding program for soft fruit, marking a significant expansion of the company’s product portfolio. The program, which will focus on strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries, will utilize the company’s extensive knowledge of research, breeding, and seed production to bring new and innovative varieties to the market.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
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