The Growers’ Association FreshValley located within Sevenum, a Dutch city of Sevenum It only began making snack cucumbers Quantario RZ in 2024, and it’s already been a huge success. Director of Sales Teun Van Roosmalen is very proud of his relationship and Rijk Zwaan. “Together we will be able to get ever more European supermarkets to be interested. This nutritious snack allows the supermarkets to keep their young customers content.”

Delivered on orderMaking the life of supermarket chains across Europe This is the pledge FreshValley provides every day. Six production sites which covers 30 hectares total The growers’ association provides strawberries, cherry tomatoes on the vine, large miniature cucumbers, as well as cucumbers, which are packed to specifications, then delivered according to time. In the year 2024, at the start of the season snacks cucumbers joined the collection. With a diameter of 8-12cm, they’re smaller than miniature cucumbers. “When the grower Ad Verhoeven wound up his firm, he was eager to assist us in taking the cultivation duties. We are a good fit for specialties which is why we were delighted to bridge that gap,” says Teun.

The most tasty snack cucumber

They chose to grow the new high-mildew-resistant variety Quantario RZ – the successor to Qwerty RZ. “Personally I’m convinced that this is one of the most delicious snack cucumber you can find. Due to its resistance to mildew it doesn’t require as numerous pest control interventions. In terms of production the varieties are performing extremely good. Meanwhile, we’re testing various new Rijk Zwaan varieties and share the knowledge related to crop cultivation.”

Cultivation challenges

This crop has the challenges it faces, as per Teun. The crop requires not just preciseness but also a significant amount of time as a result of the extensive maintenance of crops and harvesting. Additionally, labor and logistics plans need to be well aligned. “Snack cucumbers need lots of focus starting from the time they’re planted all the way to harvest. We have to ensure a good quality product as well as be flexible to the market’s demands. We strive to come to agreement with our customers prior to the time of purchase,” Teun explains.

Expanding the market

FreshValley is not just working in close collaboration with Rijk Zwaan on the plant, but also in order to enhance the quality of their market. Teun believes in the importance of their collaboration. “We often exchange thoughts on potential market developments together with our Chain Manager Maarten van der Leeden. For one thing, Rijk Zwaan has connections with all retailers in Europe. We would like to bring our market by identifying new consumers to purchase our snacks cucumbers.”

Potential for market growth

Teun believes in the prospects for the future. “We’ve just begun. We think that the snack cucumber could be a huge market opportunity particularly in our neighbouring nations. Together along with Rijk Zwaan, I will be working to improve that. I am a firm believer in chain-wide cooperation between breeders and retailers. This is how we can create new possibilities and we are in a position to recognize the successes.”

Source: Rijk Zwaan