Rijk Zwaan's Tomato Seeds - Advantages? Benefits?

Rijk Zwaan Company Introduction

Rijk Zwaan is a Dutch-based vegetable breeding company and 4th largest globally, Rijk Zwaan is proud to develop new vegetable varieties with innovative traits, bringing benefits for various parties along the value chain. Although the name Rijk Zwaan may not be familiar to some people, in 2024 Rijk Zwaan celebrates its 100-years of existence, proving their long-term partnership with growers around the world. Rijk Zwaan prides themselves as the leader in protected and high-tech (long-cycle) cultivation systems and in the South-East Asia region, focusing on hydroponics in tropical highland conditions. In line with the motto ‘Sharing A Healthy Future’, Rijk Zwaan has partnered with our partner Excel Seeds Trading Sdn Bhd bringing fresh produce to many Malaysians.

Advantage of Rijk Zwaan seeds

Rijk Zwaan (RZ) seeds are used around the world and tested under local climatic conditions (SEA region). RZ seeds are certified free from seed-borne pathogens, minimising risk to farmers. All commercial seeds have been selected for uniformity and some have undergone priming process, enabling high uniformity. Hence, growers can be assured of uniform, rapid germination and predictable outcome when using RZ seeds. Some of popular RZ products include lettuce, tomato, sweet pepper, cucumber and melon. We also have a range of other specialties such as spinach, kale, snack celery, beet, radish, Swiss chard and miscellaneous others. You can download the Rijk Zwaan app through Google Play or Apple App Store on your mobile phone to browse our catalogue or you can also contact Excel Seeds Trading Sdn Bhd to find out more. 

Support for growers

Besides selling seeds, Rijk Zwaan also supports growers by providing various product concepts, crop guides as well as a free detailed e-learning course for hydroponic growing of lettuce on nutrient film technique (NFT) systems. You can find links to this information through the RZ Asia website: https://rijkzwaan.asia/home

Tomato product range

Tomato is a common and important crop in Malaysia for both domestic and export (to Singapore and Middle East) market. According to the Department of Agriculture Malaysia Statistics Handbook (‘Booklet Statistik Tanaman 2022’), approximately 2000 hectares of land are planted with tomato, notably in the states of Pahang, Kelantan, Perak and Kundasang / Ranau highlands of Sabah. Tomato is largely a highland crop and requires day-night temperature difference of around 8-10 degrees Celsius to set fruits successfully. All Rijk Zwaan tomato varieties are of indeterminate habit and are suitable for long cycle harvests. 

Generally, most tomatoes available at wet markets and in supermarkets are harvested underripe so that the fruits are firmer and can withstand long distances of travel by road from the highlands where they were grown to the final consumer, which are mainly in lowland areas. Increasingly, tomatoes which are harvested later (more ripe) command better prices in the supermarkets and are becoming more popular. The tomato varieties from Rijk Zwaan have delicious full-bodied flavour, especially when ripened on the vine. The attractive bright colours never fail to attract your attention and also gives great colour to your dishes. The RZ tomato range comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, colours and flavours. In many of the medium-top tier supermarkets in Malaysia, the brand-name tomatoes on the shelves are often Rijk Zwaan varieties. 

The cherry tomato varieties from Rijk Zwaan have been bred for vigour and open habit which reduces foliar diseases and allows excellent airflow all around the plant. Most varieties are also strongly generative, producing lots of fruit consistently under good management and they can be grown as a single product or for mixed boxes. Varieties which are a set, such as the 5 Miniplum Medley varieties listed below, have compatible plant architecture and growth speed, so they can be planted together in the same greenhouse. 

Rijk Zwaan caters for the requirements of different markets internationally. For example, the Silky Pink tomato range has been developed specifically for the Japanese market which requires juicy fruits with delicate sweet flavour and a unique pink look. These are also suitable for Japanese concept restaurants and cafés.

Heirloom tomatoes are often prized in European countries such as France and Italy due to their superb flavour. However, ‘traditional’ heirloom varieties are unimproved since many years ago, hence are not bred for disease resistance, are difficult to grow and produce low yield. Rijk Zwaan has combined the unique look and great flavour of traditional heirloom varieties together with better plant vigour. Did you know that some heirlooms actually ripen from the inside out and are best consumed when half orange / green instead of fully red?

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant contained in mostly red-coloured fruits such as tomatoes. According to research, lycopene can also improve sun protection, better heart health and also lower the risks of certain cancers. The Internal Red range from Rijk Zwaan such as the variety Plumola RZ (see below) has proven higher lycopene content compared to other varieties.

Fruit type	Size	Variety name	Suitable for harvesting	Remarks
			Loose	Truss / cluster
Intermediate-beef	Medium (120-150g)	Doufu RZ	X		Our popular variety. Easy fruit-setting, good taste.
Ramytom RZ	X	X	Easy setting. Firm fruits, long shelf-life.
Medium-large (160-180g)	Alamina RZ	X		Open plant type, bigger fruit size.
TY 12 RZ	X		Pink beef tomato.
Beef (> 200g)	Sakhiya RZ	X		Firm fruits. Requires fruit pruning for uniform setting.
Umagna RZ	X		Firm fruits. Requires fruit pruning for uniform setting.
Kawaguchi RZ	X		Pink beef tomato.
Roma		Giacomo RZ	X
Cocktail	30-40g	Calioso RZ	X	X	Compact plant, good yield.
Tatami RZ	X	X	Cocktail-sized pink.
Cherry round	15-20	Fortesa RZ	X		Compact plant, good yield.
15-20	Aruru RZ	X		Japanese-type cherry, red. Thin skin, juicy, high Brix.
15-20	Genery RZ	X	X	Beautiful dark red colour.
10-15	Roznari RZ	X		Japanese-type cherry, pink. Thin skin, juicy, high Brix.
12-17	Suncery RZ	X		Crunchy sweet yellow tomato.
Cherry plum / oval	15-20	Pareso RZ	X		Good yield.
10-15	Solarino RZ	X		Excellent taste with good sweet / sour balance. Suitable for higher density planting.
15-20	Maggino RZ	X		Vigorous plants, good taste.
Specialties	15-20	Operino RZ	X		Special pear-shaped tomato.
10-15	Blenny RZ	X		Miniplum Medley set. Blocky oval crème yellow. High Brix.
10-15	Chromis RZ	X		Miniplum Medley set. Blocky oval chocolate / maroon. High Brix.
10-13	Cypry RZ	X		Miniplum Medley set. Blocky oval orange. High Brix.
9-11	Gourami RZ	X		Miniplum Medley set. Blocky oval green. High Brix.
10-13	Rasbora RZ	X		Miniplum Medley set. Blocky oval pink. High Brix.
80-100	Plumola RZ	X	X	Under Internal Red* concept.
Heirloom / oxheart	> 200	Rugantino RZ	X		Delicious oxheart tomato.