Following its participation at Fruit Logistica (Hall 1.2, Stand D13), Rijk Zwaan will host its Winter Open Field Days in February (International Week 7 and Local Week 8), featuring more new developments than ever. At its CED La Palma facility in Cartagena, visitors will be able to discover new concepts and developments that strengthen three key pillars: more resilient crops (through its Defense concepts), solutions to address labour shortages (Labour Smart), and benefits for consumers and retail (with proposals such as the Crystal range).
As José Luis Saiz, Global Key Account Manager for lettuce at Rijk Zwaan, explains, the company is committed to “solutions rather than individual varieties,” with a broad catalogue capable of responding to an increasingly complex context.
Defense: resistance for a more demanding scenario
Growers are facing increasingly unpredictable weather conditions and regulatory pressure that is reducing the tools available. In this situation, they need more robust and resistant varieties. Rijk Zwaan offers solutions such as the Fusarium Defense range, which is expanding this year and now makes it possible to cover the entire cycle with Fol:1 and Fol:4 resistance across all lettuce types.
In addition, the company takes a further step with the launch of a new concept: Nasonovia Defense—an umbrella that, for the first time, includes varieties with resistance to Nasonovia biotype 1 (until now, varieties only had resistance to biotype 0).
“In 2025, active substances available to control lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) were withdrawn, and the end of the season in Northern Europe was very problematic.” To address this issue, Rijk Zwaan accelerated its research and already has Nasonovia Defense varieties in types such as iceberg, lollo and oakleaf. “We are working to complete the range.”
Labour Smart: greater efficiency with less labour
Another major challenge for the sector is the shortage of labour. In this area, Rijk Zwaan is adding new references to its Teenleaf Lettuce range, designed for process automation, with bite-sized leaves that eliminate the need for cutting and are aimed at the ready-to-eat salad market.
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As a new development, the company is introducing the Labour Smart concept for whole-head lettuces across all types, developed to facilitate mechanisation and automation. Key attributes include higher bases, ease of cleaning and better adaptation to machinery.
This approach, which increases efficiency and reduces labour investment, also extends to broccoli and cauliflower, with varieties designed for more efficient harvesting and easy floreting, in response to growing demand in the convenience segment.
Crystal and hydroponics: added value and controlled production
More varieties are also being added to the Crystal line of whole-leaf lettuces, which are thicker and crunchier and maintain their texture for longer when in contact with hot and acidic sauces. “Demand is growing rapidly in Spain and across Europe due to the rise of delivery.”
During the Open Field Days, Rijk Zwaan will showcase its hydroponic catalogue across all types, including iceberg. Although the share of this crop in Spain is still limited, it is “growing” and is shaping up as an alternative “that we expect to become much more significant in the medium and long term.” To ensure project viability, the company provides technical advisory services.
