Organic approach
The organic market is changing all the time.
Van Rijn - KWS B.V. liaises regularly with its customers and maintains a close interest in any scientific and environmental developments relating to the organic sector to monitor what is happening. This is reflected in the fact that we are continually developing new potato varieties, which are suitable for growing under organic conditions and to be marketed commercially.
Van Rijn - KWS B.V. has 35 Ha of seed potatoes, which are grown under international organic guidelines and under the control of a specific group of experienced organic growers. The Van Rijn - KWS B.V. potato varieties, which are suitable for the organic market are: BIOGOLD, NICOLA, INOVA and SPIRIT.
BIOGOLD is the best known potato variety from the Van Rijn - KWS B.V. breeding programme and has taken a leading position within the Dutch organic market with one third of the market share. It is consistent, stable and gives a high yield. Further positive characteristics are its early maturity and its high level of phytophthora resistance in both tubers and leaves. In addition, BIOGOLD has excellent boiling characteristics.
All other organic potato varieties of Van Rijn - KWS B.V. contain robust characteristics, which make enables them to be grown under organic conditions for different markets.
The international market share for the organic potato varieties of Van Rijn - KWS B.V. looks very promising and is expected to increase further. Van Rijn – KWS B.V. believes that low input and organic varieties are an increasingly important part of the potato market and are therefore prioritising the development of organic potato varieties in their breeding program.
