De Lier, The Netherlands
September 11, 2025
Rijk Zwaan is very proud to be one of the four winners of the Asia Fruit Awards 2025. The Impact Award was presented to the Dutch vegetable breeding company for its investments in Asia, benefiting both the fresh produce supply chain and the wider agricultural and horticultural communities.
Jan Doldersum and Natalie Nguyen from Rijk Zwaan receiving the award
Excited to receive Impact Award
“We are very proud, honoured and excited to receive the Asia Fruit Impact Award,” said Rijk Zwaan’s Jan Doldersum, Manager Chain, and Natalie Nguyen, Client Specialist Asia. They accepted the award on the company’s behalf from Asiafruit Magazine and Asia Fruit Logistica during the important fresh produce trade show in Hong Kong on 4 September 2025.
New varieties for local climate
The Impact Award was given for Rijk Zwaan’s commitment to developing genetics suited to local climatic conditions in the markets that need them most, such as Vietnam, China and India, according to Asiafruit Magazine Editor John Hey. The jury also noted the opening of the R&D station in Dalat, Vietnam, to accelerate the development of varieties suited to growers in South-East Asia.
The award winning team
Working with growers and partners
The jury was also impressed by Rijk Zwaan’s consumer-centric approach of working with growers and partners to introduce novel products and consumption experiences. Examples include partnering with Dole China to launch Sweet Palermo peppers on the Chinese market, collaborating with AquaGreen in Hong Kong to develop unique hydroponically grown products, and introducing premium Asian melons to Thailand’s high-end retailers.
Creating impact through care and collaboration
“At Rijk Zwaan, we believe that true growth starts with care and collaboration. This is how we can create real impact,” commented Jan Doldersum. “In the end, positive impact is what matters for the long term: impact for local farmers in terms of improving their crops and yields by providing better genetics and sharing know-how, impact for communities and society in terms of a better standard of living, impact on consumer behaviour by promoting a healthier lifestyle, and impact on the planet by providing sustainable solutions.”
Receiving the Impact Award has given Rijk Zwaan further encouragement to continue its work supporting growers and communities across Asia.
Congratulations to other winners
Rijk Zwaan would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the other winners of the Asia Fruit Awards: banana marketer Dole China, Thai importer-distributor City Fresh Fruit, and multi-format food retailer Central Retail Vietnam.
Asia Fruit Impact Award 2025
Topics
Species
