RZ-100-wt4-E-flipbook-240702 - Flipbook - Page 12
1 | 1924-1940
On the eve of
breeding accreditation
The revival of the Dutch economy after World War I (due to the catch-up demand from surrounding
countries) collapses in 1920: this is followed by an economic depression that dominates the
early 1920s in the Netherlands. In the seed export sector, the overproduction of seeds adds to
the misery. It is not until 1924 that there is room for growth again, and exports to Germany in
particular start to pick up very slowly. The worst of the social and economic chaos is over, and
the demand for horticultural producers is increasing – particularly for the suppliers of tomatoes,
cucumbers and grapes. Between 1925 and 1939, the total area devoted to market gardening in the
Netherlands grows by almost 20 per cent. In that climate of economic recovery, Rijk Zwaan opens
his shop in Rotterdam in 1924.
Father Rijkent Zwaan
(1860 - 1954).
Rijk. Zwaan’s Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel
As there are hardly any means of verification for
The earliest known photograph of Rijk Zwaan’s
market gardeners, they rely on the honesty of the
shop displays the words ‘Garden, Flower and
seller. The same goes for Rijk himself. His suppliers
Agricultural Seeds’ on the facade and ‘Rijk. Zwaan’s
also need to be 100 per cent reliable. He therefore
Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel’ (Seed Cultivation and
sources many seeds from his brother Hendrik, who
Seed Shop) on the window. Rijk is able to start his
has established himself as a breeder in Enkhuizen
shop in 1924 thanks to a loan from his father, while
(Hendrik Zwaan had left Andries Zwaan’s business
his brother Andries supplies him with seed on
to start for himself a year before Rijk opened his
credit. The property itself is mortgaged. For the
shop in Rotterdam). At his brother Hendrik’s farm,
first two years after opening his shop, he borrows
Rijk has the purchased seeds sown and tested
a total of around 15,000 Dutch guilders from his
in order to find out exactly what he is selling. His
father and brother, and although he is a close
first catalogue proudly proclaims: ‘Our own seed
relative he still has to pay interest on the borrowed
breeding nurseries in Enkhuizen’. Moreover, even in
funds. However, it turns out to be a good invest-
those early years he already applies a prudent type
ment for the two lenders, as the business takes off
of quality assurance:
and the interest payments are made punctually.
‘Although I do everything in my power to supply
Rijk Zwaan pays 25.10 guilders per week for his
the best as regards varietal purity and germina-
shop on Zwaanhals. He also rents a warehouse for
tion vigour, I cannot be held liable for the total or
the storage of seeds for around 10 guilders per
partial failure of the harvest, due to whatever cause,
Rijk Zwaan’s shop at Zwaanshals
week. The Rotterdam shop is conveniently located
or for errors resulting from di昀昀erences in names or
in Rotterdam.
just around the corner from the vegetable market
nore fair complaints, although I must insist that the
Rijk Zwaan knows better than anyone how important
compensation can never exceed the amount charged
seed quality is to the market gardener.
10
descriptions of the varieties. However, I will not ig-
and not far from the Kralingen horticultural area.
for the item in question.’
Rijk Zwaan | Moving forward together
