Category: Crops

Roaring Success: Onza, a Mini seedless Watermelon with a Big Impact

Posted on Mar 12, 2025

Developing a triploid, seedless watermelon requires precision and expertise—especially when integrating new traits to meet the demands of growers, retailers, and consumers. Hazera’s breeding team has achieved a remarkable breakthrough with Onza, a next-generation tiger type mini seedless watermelon hybrid.

Onza embodies Hazera varieties’ core strengths and essential traits in crop resilience, high yield, and good shelf-life. Its ideal rind-to-flesh ratio ensures durability during shipping without compromising quality, while its deep red interior, long shelf life, and high brix content guarantee a sweet, flavorful experience.

“Onza is proving to be the first of our new generation mini tiger strip watermelons that shows wide adaptability for West Coast growers. It boasts high yields, excellent field holding capacity, impressive storage shelf life, uniformity, and exceptional internal qualities, which have growers and marketers raving. Watching the harvest crews’ line up Onza on the beds and seeing the line machines stop due to high yields stacking up the belts is a very impressive and prideful sight to see.” ~ says Barry Younkin, Western USA Sales Manager.

Thanks to its amazing adaptability, Onza has quickly gained traction in the US and Mexico markets, proving its value in challenging growing conditions. It delivers measurable benefits across the agricultural chain by reducing costs for growers, maximizing profitability for retailers, and ensuring satisfaction for consumers. At Hazera, innovation does not stop at breeding. Our Fresh Chain program fosters sustainable partnerships across the entire supply chain, from seed to shelf. By collaborating with growers, retailers, and other stakeholders, Hazera ensures that groundbreaking varieties like Onza meet market demands while raising industry standards for quality and sustainability.

Hazera’s long-term vision is to continue elevating watermelon quality and transportability while developing robust solutions for plant protection and yield stability. Through continuous product improvement, Hazera remains committed to advancing a healthier, more resilient food system and delivering optimal value across the agricultural chain.

Would you like to learn more about Onza? Contact us!

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Layers of Success: The Centro Onion Journey

Posted on Feb 14, 2025

The story of Centro, a high-performing onion variety now sold throughout Europe, is one of innovation and strategic focus. Over the years, Centro has become a key symbol of Hazera’s dedication to producing top-quality onions and driving success in the global market.

Thirty years ago, Hazera’s market share in onions was low. In 1993, a dedicated project team was formed, bringing together experts from R&D, Marketing, and Commercial divisions, along with an external onion specialist. The goal: to uncover the reasons behind the low market share and implement impactful changes to significantly improve it. 

Through extensive discussions with key growers and packers, the team identified the core issues—low yield and poor skin quality—which led to low pack-out rates and considerable losses for customers. This realization helped the team set new priorities, focusing on four key traits: yield, skin quality, dormancy, and firmness. 

Recognizing that “what gets measured, gets improved,” the team invested in a machine to accurately measure firmness. This new approach provided clear focus and helped define the right priorities. Over the next decade, Hazera’s onion team consistently used this tool during their evaluations, allowing them to identify clear differences in traits like yield and firmness between Hazera’s genetics and those of competitors. 

Together with a group of colleagues, the team selected breeding number 37-58 F1 for development. It was thoroughly tested with leading growers in key onion-producing regions, and a detailed plan was created to guide the project in the years to come. Numerous trials confirmed the variety’s exceptional performance. The variety was named “Centro” due to its high rate of single centers and was first launched in key markets, the Netherlands and Germany. Within 6-7 years, Centro gained popularity and was adopted in many other countries. 

Hazera’s long-term commitment and investments have led to a substantial increase in its market share for onions. Hazera continues to focus on breeding and the development of high-yielding varieties with unique traits. 

Would you like to learn more about Centro? Contact us!

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Roaring Success: Onza, a Mini seedless Watermelon ...
Meet the people behind the crops: Malgorzata Zadur...

Fenix Pepper: The Golden Secret

Posted on Aug 06, 2024

Five years ago, Hazera introduced Fenix pepper, a blocky yellow variety, to greenhouse cultivation across Mexico, revolutionizing the pepper industry with its superior qualities.

Before the arrival of Fenix, Mexican growers faced a significant need for reliable pepper varieties that could deliver continuous yields from September to May. Growers often experienced a production gap with traditional varieties, especially during the cold months. At the same time, shifting consumer preferences increased the demand for peppers with good fruit shape and an attractive yellow color.

These market demands resulted in several competitor varieties entering the market. Fenix emerged after years of dedicated breeding that prioritized the development of a disease-resistant and strong crop that thrives even in stressed conditions and challenging latitudes where radiation is a limiting factor.

Fenix’s exceptional attributes, such as high yield, quality fruit in terms of color, shape, and uniformity, and a strong plant balance between vegetative and generative growth, make it the preferred choice for growers. Today, it holds approximately 40% of the market share in Mexico, particularly in the Sinaloa area.

“Fenix is a variety with very strong plant, that helps to have a healthy plant that can be grown on high radiation condition during summer when we start the harvest. During season, fruits continue with good sizes and thick wall. It’s an excellent variety for us with its flexibility to be packed in boxes and bags. On this segment of yellow blocky pepper, Fenix is the best variety for our growing conditions like salty soils and high radiation during big part of the season. During and after winter, Fenix keeps its uniform sizes and good fruit weight.” ~ Gerardo Gonzales Perez, grower at Horticola Jehersa S.P.R de R.L. farm in Yurecuaro, Michoacan.

With devotion to sustainability, we continuously seek ways to enhance our varieties. With Fenix, we implemented sustainable growth methods that minimize fruit waste and optimize the use of water and fertilizers. This approach reflects our dedication to creating a positive impact across the entire supply chain, from growers to consumers.

The success of Fenix is a testament to our commitment to innovation and people. The high performance and fruit quality of Fenix ensure that growers produce healthy, delicious vegetables that strengthen communities and promote healthy living. Our global diversity and invested expertise allow us to understand and adapt to the unique needs of various markets, ensuring that Fenix continues to be a valuable crop.

Would you like to learn more about Felix? Contact us!

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Roaring Success: Onza, a Mini seedless Watermelon ...
Meet the people behind the crops: Malgorzata Zadur...

Meet the people behind the crops: Federico Puyo

Posted on Jul 29, 2024

At Hazera, we are proud of our dedicated team, which works passionately to provide our growers with the best products. While we tend to put our products in the headlines, it is the Hazera team who are behind our success. Let’s shine the spotlight on Federico Puyo (52), Product Manager for Long Cucumbers and Blocky Peppers from Almeria, Spain.

Federico Puyo, Product Manager for Long Cucumbers and Blocky Peppers, lives in Almeria with his wife and two kids. He studied agronomy and has been working in the agricultural industry since 1994. He began his career as an advisor in crop management for local companies in the fertilizers and fruit trees business. After 25 years, Federico decided to return to his roots and work with vegetables. He joined Hazera five years ago and with his empathy, expertise, and curiosity he has been a valuable team member since.

What is a common myth about your field of expertise?
“A common misconception about the seed industry in general, which I also had myself, is that creating and breeding new hybrids is not a complicated process. But since I started working as a product manager, I learnt that I couldn’t have been more wrong about it.” Admits Federico. “Turns out, producing seeds is quite complex. Especially nowadays, as there is a need to develop global varieties that can thrive in various conditions and markets.”

In your opinion, what is the most important strength someone needs to be successful in your job?
“I think empathy and willingness to help others are very essential skills a product manager should have. At the end of the day, it’s not just the company that matters, but the people within. In my position, it is important to have empathy because you need to understand the challenges and needs of different departments and people like breeders, sales, and marketing. You need to be able to combine the various perspectives and work together towards a common goal. And of course, to do this, you also need to be curious, need to be engaged with different departments within and outside the company to learn and understand what they do. Then you have the full picture, and you are of better help.”

Tell us about a project you’re proud of and why.
“I can highlight two things I’m proud of. One is the mini seedless watermelon project I’m involved in with some colleagues from Marketing and Fresh Chain. I’m very proud of being part of this project because, despite all the difficulties the team is facing, we are taking a position in the market step by step. The other thing to highlight is related to my crop, long cucumber. I take pride in transforming the perception of Hazera in the Spanish market. At first, Hazera was viewed as a tomato company, but the reputation of our long cucumbers is growing more and more, and growers are curious about our varieties.”

Federico Puyo

What does “Hazera- Growing Together” mean to you?
“As I see it, Growing Together has two parts. One part is Growing Together internally, as I mentioned, being empathetic and curious and working as a team with colleagues. I might not be so knowledgeable in other crops, but I keep an open mind and try to connect with my colleagues and learn from them.” Federico smiles. “In the end, we are one team, and we need to have the same mission. Growing together externally means that we need to collaborate with our external partners and customers, understand their challenges and try to find solutions to help them. So, growing together is not only a benefit for Hazera but also a global benefit.”

Tell us something about yourself that most people do not know.
“Not many people know, but I would like to set up a tapas bar when I retire. My wife is not convinced yet of this idea.” Federico laughs. “But I’d love to own a tapas bar, where I can talk with the people who come in. And of course, drink a beer or two with them.”

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Follow us our social media channels to stay connected with our Hazera people! If you have any questions left, don’t hesitate to ask them via our contact page!

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The snack vegetable radish mix: colourful, healthy, and Best Product of the Year

Posted on Mar 04, 2024

In the Nederlandse Consumentenverkiezing (Dutch Consumer Election) of 2023-2024, the AH Snack Vegetable Radish Mix, for which Hazera produces and breeds the radish seeds, has been elected as the Best Product of the Year in the category of potatoes, vegetables, and fruit. Dirk-Jan Polak, Crop Specialist in radishes, lamb’s lettuce, and baby carrots, sees the award as a compliment for the entire chain behind this product. “You help people make healthier choices.”

According to Dirk-Jan, the success story of the radish mix begins with genetics. “This ensures that we can continuously deliver high-quality seeds, allowing the grower to produce an excellent final product. Our radishes are beautifully round, have good internal quality, and grow very consistently during different seasons and weather conditions.” As a market leader in radish seeds, seed quality is a top priority at Hazera. “Credit for this goes to the breeders,” says Dirk-Jan. “Through continuous development, we have been able to introduce distinctive radish varieties to the market.”

 

Unique combination
In addition to genetics and seed quality, it’s the ability to produce radishes in various colors that makes the difference. “Purpella F1 and Whitella F1, purple and white radishes respectively, are the only two colored radish varieties cultivated on a serious scale. And they come from Hazera.” Combined with the well-known red radishes, these colored varieties form the AH Snack Mix. An idea from grower Ortolanda, says Dirk-Jan. “The mix of various colored radishes, sold in top seal packaging, aligns with the growing demand for snack vegetables, Ad Coolbergen, managing director of Ortolanda, explains.

 

Growing together
“We always keep the consumer in mind, on whose plate our product ultimately ends up. That’s why the collaboration throughout the chain is so important.” Dirk-Jan refers to the cooperation between Hazera, Ortolanda, Bakker Barendrecht (a Greenyard company) and Albert Heijn, from which the award-winning radish mix originated. “Breeding, developing, growing, and marketing these types of products requires craftsmanship.” Ad confirms this. “The successful introduction of a new product in the market requires good chain collaboration, where everyone is on the same page. This way, we can collectively meet the market’s needs and respond to consumer trends.”This has been excellently achieved with the radish mix, says Dirk-Jan. “The trend for 2024 is healthy snacking, where people choose vegetables and fruits instead of candy or chips. This radish mix perfectly addresses this trend, fulfilling two important consumer needs: healthy and convenient snacking.” Ad expects the mix to appeal to an entirely new, mainly younger, target audience. The radishes look appealing, are healthy, and are ready to eat straight from the container. With this product, Albert Heijn makes healthy snacking accessible.” Hazera and Ortolanda are both proud to contribute to this.”

 

Stay on track
Dirk-Jan is optimistic about the future, both in terms of the product and within the chain collaboration. “Radish is a beautiful vegetable that helps people make healthier choices. The fact that the AH Snack Vegetable Radish Mix has been chosen as the best product is a recognition that, with our breeders and partners, we are on the right path and an encouragement to continue the constant development of such products.”

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Follow us on our social media channels to stay connected with our Hazera people! If you have any questions left, don’t hesitate to ask them via our contact page!

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Meet the people behind the crops: Dirk-Jan Polak

Meet the people behind the crops: Dirk-Jan Polak

Posted on Feb 15, 2024

At Hazera, we are proud of our dedicated team, which works passionately to provide our growers with the best products. While our products often grab the headlines, it is the Hazera team who are behind our success. Let’s shine the spotlight on Dirk-Jan Polak (57), a Commercial Crop Specialist from Poortugaal, Netherlands, who plays a vital role in our organization.

Dirk-Jan has agriculture running in his veins. He shares with a smile. “My family history is quite interesting. We are a real food family. We are growers, fishermen, butchers, and bakers. In fact, just near our head office in Oosteind, you can find a bakery, the Bakery Polak, a legacy of my family.” For eight years, Dirk-Jan was a game dealer and built the Hollands Wild brand together with Jo Kloet. “We were the odd ones in the meat world.” Dirk-Jan laughed. “Because Jo had been a marketing director at Rijk Zwaan and I had had my vegetable-cutting company.” He joined Hazera two years ago as a Commercial Crop Specialist for radishes, corn salad, and baby carrots. His dedication to his work and crops is shown in the success of various projects. A recent example is the radish mix, where Dirk-Jan’s contributions played an important part and helped the project earn the prestigious title of Best Product of the Year in the Dutch Consumer Election.

What is a common myth about your job or field of expertise?

When asked about a misconception in his field, Dirk-Jan responds: “Most people who are no longer connected to our agriculture and horticulture hardly realize how professional and efficient we have become, but also how dependent we still are on nature and have to deal with it and every day.’’

In your opinion, what is the most important personality trait someone would need to work in your industry?

Dirk-Jan believes effective communication is crucial in his role as a Commercial Crop Specialist. “I act as the bridge between growers and Hazera, facilitating the flow of needs and solutions. It’s not just about delivering products; it’s about understanding the growers’ challenges, market demands, and regulatory landscapes,” he explains. “So, we can provide them a solution for the right varieties, the right calibers at the right time, in the right place.”

Which project are you proud of and why?

Dirk-Jan said immediately with a smile: “The radish mix was a nice project. It was the idea of a grower at Ortolanda to put three different colored radishes (purple, red, and white) in one box. It kind of looks like a rainbow radish box. This radish mix opened a new, so-called “snack radish” market, which is attractive for a new target group of consumers, the younger generation.” Continues Dirk-Jan with excitement. “It even caught the attention of Albert Heijn, a major Dutch supermarket, positioning radishes in a new, health-focused spotlight. It is also good and healthy for the people because, with the radish mix box, they eat three kinds of radish at once.”

What does “Hazera – Growing Together” mean to you?

“I like this slogan, because we as Hazera, as a breeder, are at the beginning of the whole food chain and this position comes with a great responsibility. That is why it is important to grow together with our growers, and our customers by listening to them and creating varieties that are needed for the markets to be able to feed the world sustainably in the future. This slogan also refers to the great team we have at Hazera that works together.”

Can you tell us something about yourself that most people do not know?

“I am an enthusiastic person, who always thinks of solutions. I think there is a solution to all the problems, but it is very important to communicate with your colleagues and customers. For many years I used to work primarily in Dutch and the transition to work mainly in English has been a bit difficult.” Dirk-Jan admits with a candid smile. “But it is getting better, and I try to be the ambassador and communicator for my crops and role.”

Do you want to stay connected with our Hazera people?

Follow us our social media channels to stay connected with our Hazera people! If you have any questions left, don’t hesitate to ask them via our contact page!

More News

Roaring Success: Onza, a Mini seedless Watermelon ...
Meet the people behind the crops: Malgorzata Zadur...