One man's ambition led Enza Zaden to become a global player. For Jacob Mazereeuw, no hurdle was ever too high. His fearless and tireless drive defines his character: a pioneer by heart. The enterprising spirit is at the heart of our family business and is passed down from generation to generation.
Daring to do new things: Enza Zaden.
Nature is always changing.
And sometimes that can threaten healthy food production and consumption. We need vegetables that can resist extreme conditions, pathogens, and viruses. By carefully studying the 'wild' varieties we collected in our gene bank, we were able to develop our breakthrough High Resistance (HREZ) to ToBRFV, a devastating tomato virus. For example, our latest resistance to Bremia also positively contributes to the business of all lettuce growers worldwide.
Tomorrow needs difference: Enza Zaden.
If you look closely, you can see potential in almost everything.
A single, inconspicuous seed may hold the key to fighting a crop-destroying virus. Or it may have unique traits that are the key to a much higher yield with the potential to feed millions of people. For example, by carefully studying the 'wild' tomato varieties we collected in our gene bank, Enza Zaden found high resistance against the devastating ToBRFV virus. We crossed this into our existing tomato varieties, so our growers could continue to grow strong, healthy tomatoes.
We need vegetables which contribute to a more sustainable world. At the same time, people love strong, healthy vegetables that can endure. Our challenge is to satisfy these different needs. We are off to a flying start with our EasyQ cucumbers. Crunchy, more flavorful, lying unwrapped on the supermarket shelf and lasting longer than wrapped cucumbers. On top of reduced plastic waste, this also results in less food waste.
Tomorrow needs difference: Enza Zaden
In a single plant, every leaf contributes.
If all the leaves are strong and none are wilting, the plant is doing well and is rooted in healthy soil. It works the same for partnerships, companies, and the people working in those companies.
So, let's keep an eye out for each other and connect. Professionally and privately. If each of us is doing well, we are all doing well.
Shoulder to shoulder with growers: Enza Zaden.
Seeds have the power to bring forth life: a future brimming with beautiful green leaves and nourishing vegetables. We are all given seeds – in the form of opportunities, ideas, and dreams. They might initially seem small and insignificant, but they can grow into something beautiful and meaningful with care and dedication. And really make a difference.
Tomorrow needs difference: Enza Zaden.
Great taste is what gets people's attention – and what gets them eating!
Enza Zaden introduced the tomato variety Campari in 1995, addressing the German market's demand for flavorful tomatoes. Famous as Tasty Tom® in the Netherlands, it still stands strong in the USA. Staying fabulous and famous for so many years is really an exception in the agricultural world: Campari is still loved and enjoyed worldwide.
Total freedom to innovate: Enza Zaden.
If you commit to your ambition, you can make a lasting impact. At Enza Zaden, our tireless drive for innovation is a tremendous contribution to our success, expanding our market reach and helping us to get closer to our mission: breeding to feed the world.
Tomorrow needs difference: Enza Zaden.
When tapped, a good, ripe watermelon sounds pleasantly hollow. It’s a sign of quality. Ever since Enza Zaden entered this market, we chased the highest quality by doing things differently. Today the refreshing value that we bring to the entire chain creates an ongoing buzz of excitement and anticipation. With the success of dark-mottled striped varieties such as Cracker Jack, Rio Grande and Red Garnet, new additions on the way, we aim to keep exceeding expectations in the future.
Total freedom to innovate: Enza Zaden.
It’s in the closest collaborations that you will find the greatest success stories. In this case, you can taste it! Our successful sweet pepper brand tribelli® is the result of close, exclusive cooperation between our customers and the partners in the chain. It all started with an intensive breeding process, paying special attention to the taste and sweetness of yellow, red, and orange peppers. Collaborating intensely and working closely with business partners, we chase the sweetest taste.
Shoulder to shoulder with growers: Enza Zaden.
Often, unknown territory sparks great innovations such as vertical farming. It is one of the latest trends in the vegetable production industry and one of the sustainable solutions for a growing demand for food safety and ultra-fresh vegetables. As an early leader in this technique, we have a dedicated team breeding suitable genetics for vertical farming. The result? A wide range of lettuce varieties with different leaf shapes, color, texture, flavors, and good shelf-life. So, let's move forward – and upward – together!
Daring to do new things: Enza Zaden.
Nature provides
A simple truth that inspired the dream of Vitalis: to create an organic world.
In 1998, Vitalis partnered with Enza Zaden to make this dream a reality. The organic soul of Vitalis and the innovative power of Enza Zaden turned out to be a golden combination to provide organic growers with the resilient vegetable varieties they needed.
Now, nearly 30 years later, Vitalis is one of the largest organic vegetable breeders and producers of organic vegetable seeds. Passionate working to prepare us for a more demanding future.
Tomorrow needs difference: Enza Zaden.
From a handful of seeds, you can feed a village. Our shared passion with growers around the globe drives us to innovate and cultivate varieties that are not only resilient but also treasures of nutrition, contributing to the well-being of communities and the health of our planet. Embracing both cutting-edge advancements and the rich heritage of traditional agriculture, we strive to create a future where yield, taste, and adaptability thrive, meeting the diverse needs of growers and consumers alike. It's in partnership with growers all over the world that each harvested fruit and every unfurled leaf tells the story of our united commitment to the future of nourishment.
Shoulder to shoulder with growers: Enza Zaden.
Don't shy away from exploring the less glamorous aspects of your field. Hidden in plain sight might be the keys to extraordinary innovation.
Our gene bank holds many wild plants with natural resistance against pests and diseases.
For example, we use the prickly relatives of lettuce to cross required traits into new lettuce varieties. Preserving genetic diversity helps us develop strong vegetable varieties with resilience to changing environmental conditions.
Daring to do new things: Enza Zaden.
Sometimes, you need to go where the demand takes you. Increasingly, consumers are demanding fresh, locally grown, pesticide-free, food-safe, pre-packed leafy greens.
One of the solutions?
Hydroponics: growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution, a green cultivation method to meet those needs. It's more productive with less impact, so it's the best of both worlds and happening worldwide. We offer a dedicated breeding program with many options for different growing conditions, bringing convenience, taste, and nutrition to a global market.
Total freedom to innovate: Enza Zaden.
There’s something powerful about pumpkins!
This very flexible and resilient crop fits well in many rotation schemes and grows under different climatic conditions.
At Enza Zaden, we're passionate about elevating the status of pumpkins, harnessing their organic potential to meet the growing demand for healthy, trendy food options. Our focus goes beyond sheer quantity; we take pride in delivering seeds of unparalleled quality, known for their reliable germination under diverse conditions. This dedication has led us to be the top provider of red pumpkins in Western Europe.
Shoulder to shoulder with growers: Enza Zaden.
Be careful before you dismiss the misfits.
In the plant world, it’s the outliers that can spark game-changing innovations. This insight is, in fact, at the foundation of any successful seed breeder and it was at the core of our founder Jacob Mazereeuw’s first experiments. Rebels may look or taste unattractive, but their unique traits deserve your full attention.
Daring to do new things: Enza Zaden.
Just as an onion has multiple layers, successful onion breeding entails multiple layers. As mechanical harvesting and advanced storage solutions become increasingly important, agility is crucial. Being a family-owned enterprise, we excel at swift decision-making and adaptability. We prioritize crucial factors such as yield, bulb quality, storability, uniformity and disease resistance. This way, we continuously develop high-quality varieties tailored to meet the unique needs of each market.
Total freedom to innovate: Enza Zaden.
If you keep it local, you will make a better connection: growing vegetables that are in touch with the local needs and conditions. From the busy farms of Asia to the peaceful countryside of Europe, our network reaches far and wide. We bring growers and innovators together in cooperation and solidarity, crafting vegetable varieties finely tuned to local markets, climates, and growing conditions. Together, we aren't just sowing seeds but cultivating resilient and sustainable legacies.
Shoulder to shoulder with growers: Enza Zaden.