Rijk Zwaan officially opens new subsidiary in Brazil
Rijk Zwaan has been active in Brazil for some 15 years and, thanks to good cooperation with several local distributors, the company has already achieved a significant market position in melon, tomato and lettuce. With its new, fully owned subsidiary, Rijk Zwaan now intends to not only build on its existing success, but also to start focusing on a number of other Rijk Zwaan crops.
From left to right: Joop Vegter, Anton van Doornmalen (co-owner and advisor Rijk Zwaan), Jan Omvlee (manager Rijk Zwaan Export), Marco van Leeuwen and Lionel Bardin.
The Rijk Zwaan Brazil management team comprises Joop Vegter and Lionel Bardin. In addition to its head office in Holambra (near São Paulo), the company has trial locations in Holambra and Mossoró (northeast Brazil). There are plans to organise international field days at these locations several times a year for growers and business partners from the whole of South America.
Added value
Marco van Leeuwen, managing director of Rijk Zwaan, comments: "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. 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. Many of them also visited the demo field in Holambra on a trip which RZ Brasil had arranged to coincide with the event.
For more information, please visit: www.rijkzwaan.com