As the world of vegetable production changes and new investors show an interest in entering the horticultural sector, seed company Rijk Zwaan has put itself forward to offer investors knowledge of local markets and high-tech production methods, as well as a choice of varieties and access to supplier networks.
According to the company, it is another way of supporting the sustainable and efficient production of vegetables – sustainability being a key theme of Rijk Zwaan's showcase at the recent Fruit Logistica in Berlin.
Jan Willem Cirkel, account manager horticultural products at Rijk Zwaan, is th forst point of contact at the group for newcomers to the horticulture industry.
'There is a strong demand for tasty vegetables that can be produced sustainably and based on a 'local for local' approach, especially in emerging economies,' said Cirkel. 'This makes the horticultural sector an interesting business prospect for investors, but they often lack experience so they are looking for partners with technical expertise and market insights.
“Over the past two years I’ve helped numerous investors to find their way in the horticultural sector, from countries including Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and the Middle East,' he continued. 'Our company has crop specialists and marketing specialists all over the world who can give companies tailor-made advice about market opportunities and crop production possibilities.'
In addition, Cirkel , Rijk Zwaan knows all the major suppliers of high-tech greenhouses and growing systems.
'It’s still possible to grow lettuce or tomatoes successfully in a semi-closed greenhouse, for instance, even in challenging climate conditions,' he added. 'Needless to say, we offer an extensive range of vegetable varieties that are suitable for production systems such as hydroponics, which is a clean, water-based method. It also requires hardly any use of chemicals, which is why we stimulate the use of sustainable crop production systems like that.”
