The agricultural partnership between the Netherlands and South Korea has reached a new milestone this year, highlighted by the official inaugurations of two globally renowned Dutch agricultural powerhouses in the Korean market. In a strong demonstration of bilateral cooperation and a shared commitment to sustainable food systems, both De Heus and Rijk Zwaan hosted launching events during the first half of the year. These strategic expansions underscore the growing importance of the South Korean market in the Asian agrifood landscape and promise to bring advanced Dutch expertise in animal nutrition and specialized plant breeding directly to local farmers and agribusinesses.
Beeld: © De Heus Korea
De Heus Korea: a new era in animal nutrition and farm management
On 12 May, De Heus Animal Nutrition officially celebrated the grand launch of De Heus Korea. This event marked the company's strategic entry into the South Korean market, a move made possible by the highly anticipated acquisition of the Asian animal feed operations from CJ Feed & Care. The acquisition, which encompassed several feed mills in South Korea as well as across Asia, positioned South Korea as a central pillar in De Heus's broader Asian expansion strategy.
The launching ceremony was an exclusive gathering of key industry stakeholders, local agricultural partners, and farmers. Underscoring the economic significance of the event, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to South Korea delivered a congratulatory address. The Ambassador praised the seamless union of Dutch agricultural heritage with South Korea's dynamic and rapidly modernizing livestock sector, noting that the launch represented a significant leap forward for bilateral trade relations.
By integrating CJ Feed & Care's established infrastructure, skilled local workforce, and deep regional market knowledge, De Heus Korea is positioned to become a transformative player in the local animal feed and nutrition industry. The Dutch multinational brings over a century of global experience in farm management, advanced nutritional science, and sustainable animal protein production.
Through this newly launched Korean entity, De Heus aims to directly empower local farmers. The company’s core focus will be on optimizing daily farm operations, enhancing livestock performance through precision nutrition, and driving long-term economic profitability. The launch signifies a powerful synergy: pairing global research and development capabilities with tailored, on-the-ground support.
Beeld: © SEO-LVVN
Rijk Zwaan Korea: Cementing a legacy of seed innovation
Following closely on the heels of the De Heus inauguration, Rijk Zwaan—a global pioneer in vegetable breeding and seed production—officially celebrated the launch of its dedicated South Korean branch on June 24. While Rijk Zwaan has been a highly active, visible, and trusted partner in the Korean agricultural sector for many years, this summer event marked the formal establishment of its official corporate subsidiary within the country.
The June 24 launch event brought together prominent local growers, greenhouse technology experts, and agricultural innovators to celebrate the company's deepened investment in the region. For years, Rijk Zwaan's high-quality seeds and resilient crop varieties have been instrumental in advancing South Korea's greenhouse horticulture and open-field farming. The strategic decision to elevate its regional presence from an active market participant to a formal branch reflects the rapid, technology-driven growth of Korea's "Smart Farm" sector and the increasing domestic demand for climate-resilient, high-yield crop varieties.
With a fully localized operational hub, Rijk Zwaan Korea is now substantially better equipped to conduct tailored, region-specific research and development. The official branch will streamline the delivery of premium genetics and hands-on agronomic support to Korean farmers. The company's portfolio will focus heavily on key crops that perfectly align with local consumer preferences and the unique climatic challenges of the Korean peninsula, including specialized varieties of leafy greens, tomatoes, and peppers designed for high-tech greenhouse environments.
A shared vision for the future of farming
The consecutive launches of De Heus Korea and Rijk Zwaan Korea serve as a powerful testament to the deep-rooted and evolving agricultural collaboration between the Netherlands and South Korea. As South Korea continues to aggressively modernize its agrifood infrastructure—embracing smart farming technologies, precision agriculture, and sustainable supply chains—the localized, expanded presence of these Dutch industry leaders will play a pivotal role. Together, the strategic investments by De Heus and Rijk Zwaan promise to accelerate the exchange of cutting-edge technology and agronomic knowledge, ultimately contributing to a more resilient, efficient, and globally competitive agricultural sector in South Korea.
More information
For more informatoin, you can reach out to the Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) team at the Dutch Embassy in Seoul via: seo-lvvn@minbuza.nl.