As greenhouse projects worldwide continue to scale up, growers and investors are increasingly looking for reliable partners who help them reduce risk and make confident decisions. During GreenTech Amsterdam 2026 and Rijk Zwaan's High Tech Weeks, the fruit and vegetable breeding company will be demonstrating how care, collaboration and data‑driven insights come together to build robust business cases for greenhouse owners.
"By connecting data, sustainability and knowledge of markets and consumers, we help our partners make confident decisions, while building successful business cases and resilient food systems," says Shuang Fan, a Client Manager Horticultural Projects at Rijk Zwaan.
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Rijk Zwaan will be present at GreenTech Amsterdam from 9 to 11 June, and will open up its trial centres in the Netherlands for the High Tech Weeks (8-19 June).
Data as the foundation for greenhouse business cases
Data‑driven growing forms the foundation of strong business cases for greenhouses, and is essential for predictability in high‑investment projects. That is why Rijk Zwaan monitors crop performance in practice at its high‑tech trial centres. "This enables us to provide growers and investors with clear insight into feasibility and return on investment. We also use the data to select genetics that increase efficiency, improve predictability and reduce labour dependency," says Damion Schwarzkachel, Client Manager Horticultural Projects at Rijk Zwaan.
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Tomatoes with predictable growth and fruit setting are interesting for investors.
As greenhouse technology and automation continues to evolve, including advanced sensors and harvesting robots, Rijk Zwaan is developing varieties with traits such as uniform growth, labour‑friendly plant architecture and good fruit visibility. Such traits support more efficient cultivation in increasingly data‑driven and semi or fully automated greenhouse systems. By optimising plant traits through breeding, Rijk Zwaan helps technology partners to improve their own solutions so that breeding and automation complement one another.
Rijk Zwaan has developed cucumber varieties that reduce the labour requirement.
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Insights into consumers and value chains
The fresh produce market is evolving rapidly, shaped by changes in consumer preferences, retail positioning and global trade flows. "By sharing consumer trends and value-chain insights, we help partners align their crop choices with what the market is asking for," explains Shuang Fan. "These insights support investors in responding to new opportunities and building reliable business cases."
An example of a lettuce variety developed for mechanical harvesting and efficient high‑tech hydroponic production.
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Ready for next‑generation sustainable greenhouses
Sustainability is another key focus area. As the transition towards low-carbon and fossil-free greenhouse systems accelerates, Rijk Zwaan is developing varieties and cultivation approaches suitable for semi-closed and energy-efficient greenhouses.
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By combining genetics with sustainable cultivation practices, the company supports consistent quality while helping growers and investors decrease their energy dependency, reduce risks and prepare for future production standards.
Meet Rijk Zwaan during GreenTech and the High Tech Weeks
Rijk Zwaan invites the horticultural world to explore how data, sustainability and market intelligence come together to create stronger, futureproof partnerships across the fresh produce value chain. At the heart of this approach is our people-first mindset; we believe strong partnerships begin with long-term commitment, innovative thinking and close collaboration with the people behind every project.
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Visits can be planned at the link here.
For more information:
Rijk Zwaan
Burgemeester Crezéelaan 40
2678 ZG, De Lier
www.rijkzwaan.com
