Dutch vegetable seed group Rijk Zwaan has revealed that it has opened a new sales subsidiary in Brazil, with the establishment of Rijk Zwaan Brasil marking an 'important step' for the company in further developing South America’s expanding vegetable market.
Rijk Zwaan has been active in Brazil for 15 years and, thanks to good cooperation with several local distributors, the company has already achieved what it describes as 'a significant market position' for fresh produce such as melons, tomatoes and lettuce.
With the inauguration of its new, fully-owned subsidiary in the country, Rijk Zwaan has said that it intends to not only build on its existing success, but also to start focusing on a number of other Rijk Zwaan crops.
The Brazilian management team comprises Joop Vegter and Lionel Bardin, and in addition to its head office in Holambra the company has trial locations in Holambra and Mossoró, with further plans to organise international field days at these locations several times a year for growers and business partners from the whole of South America.
'With the foundation of RZ Brasil and the formation of a new, experienced and motivated team, we have taken an important step in extending our commercial activities in South America,' explained Marco van Leeuwen, managing director of Rijk Zwaan. 'This continent – and Brazil in particular – is developing rapidly, and offers excellent possibilities. We are looking forward to creating many new varieties with even more added value in terms of resistances, yield, taste and visual appearance.'
The official opening took place during the Hortitec fair in Brazil, and was attended by a large number of partners and business relations, both from Brazil and the rest of South America.
