RZ-100-wt4-E-flipbook-240702 - Flipbook - Page 168
10 | 2024-the future
The next century
A look at the
future
‘For us, it is a journey, an endless journey. We are a club of people who get
to do fun things, and we try to navigate as best we can between all those
problems and obstacles to expand the business in the best possible way.
There are untold highlights, too many to mention. But we shouldn’t just set
goals; we should also enjoy the journey itself. That is what we have actually
been doing here for perhaps 100 years.’
The future holds great challenges. The global population continues to grow
– especially in developing countries – and is expected to pass the 10 billion
mark by 2050. And all the while, climate change continues to further limit
the available agricultural land and have a negative impact on biodiversity.
As a result, global food security is under increasing pressure. Malnutrition,
undernourishment and obesity are a growing problem worldwide.
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In the future, Rijk Zwaan wants to remain
The consumer of the future
committed to finding solutions to these problems
The desires and needs of the consumer are
and in that way help to guarantee a dependable
constantly evolving. For Rijk Zwaan, it is important
global food supply and the availability of healthy
to keep responding to these trends as effectively
vegetables for all. But there are challenges along
as possible. Since the corona pandemic, for
the way, such as global labour shortages and the
example, online grocery shopping and home
constantly changing demands and expectations
cooking have increased significantly.
of growers and other links in the chain such as
These seem to be enduring trends. In addition,
processors, retailers and consumers.
consumers are shopping with an increasing aware-
Yet Rijk Zwaan is facing the future with confidence.
ness of both their own health and environmental
The company, with its unique corporate culture
and climate concerns. This is reflected in a
and one hundred years of experience, has the will
growing demand for fresh, affordable and cleanly
and the capacity to help solve these problems.
grown produce.
Rijk Zwaan | Moving forward together