Events - 09-04-2026
Crunchy Cos Breeder Day 2026
On 24 March 2026, Rijk Zwaan hosted an inspiring Crunchy Breeder Day at Rennie Farms, Paarl, in the Western Cape. The day brought together key players from across the lettuce value chain, from breeding, growing, processing and retail, to explore the latest developments in Crunchy Cos lettuce.
Stakeholders enjoyed insightful presentations from the Crunchy Cos Breeder, Woolworths, and Real IPM, covering breeding innovation, consumer trends, and sustainable lettuce crop protection strategies. Field walks across the full Crunchy Cos variety portfolio provided hands-on insight into performance and quality, also including new breeding lines, and stimulated valuable discussions around disease tolerance across the range. This demonstrated the ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and innovative lettuce solutions to the South African market.
The connection between field and product carried through into lunch, where the Chef prepared five dishes showcasing Crunchy Cos as the central ingredient. From fresh salads to warm and creative applications, the meal highlighted the versatility and premium eating quality of the crop, connecting field innovation directly to the end-consumer experience.
About Rijk Zwaan South Africa
Rijk Zwaan South Africa operates from Krugersdorp, with activities across all vegetable-producing regions. “We are in the process of looking for our own research and demo facility – a major milestone for us,” says Leonard. The new location will include a high-tech greenhouse, medium and low-tech tunnels for diverse crop trials, and solar-powered energy independence. Our new facilities will drive innovation, training, and partnerships, strengthening our local position in crops such as cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, and brassicas, he concludes.