De Lier, The Netherlands
December 22, 2008
 Only
four years after the first tests, Caribbean has become the most
important variety in leading cantaloupe melon countries like
Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Brazil.
Caribbean is the result of a 8 year breeding process of
vegetable seeds company Rijk
Zwaan. During this process and the subsequent marketing
efforts, the company consciously worked together with a number
of partners in the supply chain. “Looking for cooperation within
the chain is something Rijk Zwaan invests a lot of energy in”,
says Vincent van Wolferen, chain manager at Rijk Zwaan. “That is
why we are proud that Caribbean is such a success.”
Unique characteristics
Caribbean stands apart as a melon because of its unique
combination of product characteristics. Through its plant
breeding work, Rijk Zwaan has managed to markedly improve the
presentation and flavour of orange-fleshed cantaloupe melons.
The combination of a good flavour, presentation and shelf life
has resulted in this totally new melon type. The unique concept
is supported worldwide with a logo and various marketing
efforts.
The Caribbean brand encompasses different varieties. Caribbean
Gold RZ is mainly grown in Central and South America and
Caribbean Giorgio RZ is suitable as a summer crop in Spain and
Italy. Rijk Zwaan is also working hard on new varieties for
specific segments. By means of intensive collaboration between
growers, importers, processors and retailers, a worldwide
Caribbean network has been created. This network can guarantee a
reliable and flavoursome product year-round.
Ideal for processing
Caribbean is also the ultimate product for processing. With its
thin, smooth skin, small seed cavity and easy-to-cut flesh
structure, this melon type gives the processing industry high
efficiency in automated processes. This has ensured that most
processing plants in the US and Europe are choosing Caribbean
melons.
At this year’s Fruit
Logistica, Caribbean will also be the main focus of Rijk
Zwaan. The product and its concept will be demonstrated at our
stand (Hall 1.2, Stand D15). The Fruit Logistica 2009 takes
place in Berlin and runs from 4 – 6 February 2009.
Rijk Zwaan is a vegetable seeds company that focuses on the
development of high-quality vegetable varieties for professional
horticultural food production in glasshouses and in the field.
With sales in more than 100 countries, the company is one of the
top 10 players in vegetable breeding worldwide. |
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