Doing business with respect
At Rijk Zwaan, we believe that responsible entrepreneurship starts with respect – for people, for nature, and for the future.
From this conviction, we take an integrated approach to Environment (E), Social policy (S), and Good Governance (G): the three ESG pillars with which we build a healthy and fair future for people, society, and the environment.
Three pilars for doing business with respect
Environment
Caring for nature and the environment at Rijk Zwaan means using natural resources responsibly and ensuring our operations are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Our priorities include climate, clean environment, water use, biodiversity, and circular economy.
Social
People come first at Rijk Zwaan. Our priority is to offer all employees worldwide a sustainable and pleasant job, with good and fair employment conditions – not only in the Netherlands but also at our subsidiaries and external producers.
Governance
Honest and ethically responsible entrepreneurship is embedded in our corporate culture worldwide. We make no concessions on this.
CSR Updates
Sustainability brochure: Environment 2025–2026
Discover our new sustainability brochure Doing Business with Respect: Environment 2025–2026, outlining our CSR pillars with a focus on environmental actions and ambitions. Learn how we address climate, water, biodiversity, circularity and a clean living environment.
Cooking together for a healthy future in Ghana
At Rijk Zwaan, we believe in sharing more than seeds. Through our Development Cooperation Committee (COS), we work with local partners in Ghana to encourage vegetable consumption and teach young growers how to work with modern techniques.
Low-nitrogen lettuce production
Is it possible to grow lettuce with significantly lower levels of nitrogen? Eight years ago, Lettuce Breeder Wim van Vliet decided to test whether the lettuce plants in the Rijk Zwaan breeding fields could cope with less fertiliser.