New developments

New developments

Caribbean is a brand with a number of varieties. Rijk Zwaan will be working continuously to expand this range with improved varieties and with varieties for new / different climate zones. Characteristics like colour, flavour, shelf life, resistance and production are like the software of the vegetable chain. Only by continually improving our Caribbean melon varieties will we be able to serve the final user, the consumer, a little better every day.

However, breeding melons is a lengthy process. It takes about 10 years to create a new variety. But with a lot of patience and our experienced breeders, we know that Nature’s richness offers the prospect of even better melons. Out of the hundreds of crossings that are made each year, only a few are good enough to be presented during our open days when, together with our chain partners, we look for varieties that are worthy of bearing the Caribbean brand.

Hi-tech means

Rijk Zwaan does not introduce a variety to the market until it has been extensively trialled and it genuinely contributes something to the segment. The melon types we use simply have to be good. Rijk Zwaan has many hi-tech means at its disposal and uses for example marker technologies, cell-biological and biochemical research. But we also follow our melons right up to their final destination, which gives us a lot of information. Information our breeders can then use to develop new, successful varieties.