Rijk Zwaan increases revenue through international growth

Rijk Zwaan Seed production and Seed trade realized a net turnover of 340 million Euro in the 2014/2015 fiscal year. This is 9% higher than the previous fiscal year. Rijk Zwaan saw growth in almost all their crops and almost all the countries where they are active.

According to the company, the global growth in revenue is partly due to the growing need for high quality vegetable seeds. Rijk Zwaan developed varieties for 25 different vegetable crops and sells the seeds in more than 100 countries. In the 2014/2015 fiscal year net income rose by 3% compared to the last fiscal year. The higher net profit is almost entirely due to positive exchange results.

Investments

As an independent family company Rijk Zwaan has a clear long-term vision. Most of the profits are reinvested back into the company. In the 2014/2015 fiscal year 110 million Euro was invested in research and development: almost 30% of revenue. The majority of the investments were made in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is considered an excellent location due to its political stability, good infrastructure, high level of education and incentives from the government. As of January 1, 2015 a new subsidiary was established in South Africa, bringing the total number of foreign subsidiaries to 32. Furthermore, 124 new employees were hired, 60 of which were in the Netherlands. They were all given a permanent contract, which is in line with the company's conscious choice to practice sustainable employment.

Great expectations

Rijk Zwaan expects to continue growing in the future, in part due to the growing world population. In addition to developing varieties that suit different climates and local consumer preferences, the company also focuses on the transfer of knowledge. Rijk Zwaan wants to contribute to the development of horticulture and increasing vegetable consumption worldwide.

Investment plans for the coming years focus on, inter alia, expanding R&D facilities in the Netherlands and expanding production capacity in Mexico and Tanzania.

More information:
Rijk Zwaan
Jan Doldersum, Marketing Manager
T: +31 6 20 39 02 99
E: j.doldersum@rijkzwaan.nl
www.rijkzwaan.nl