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

According to Dirk-Jan, the success story of the radish mix starts with genetics. “This ensures that we can continuously deliver high-quality seeds, enabling growers to produce an excellent final product. Our radishes are nicely round, have good internal quality, and grow very consistently across different seasons and weather conditions.” As the market leader in radish seeds, Hazera places great importance on seed quality. “The credit goes to the breeders,” says Dirk-Jan. “By continuously innovating, we have been able to introduce distinctive radish varieties to the market.”

This distinctive strength lies not only in genetics and seed quality but also in the ability to produce radishes in various colors. “Purpella F1 and Whitella F1, purple and white radishes respectively, are the only two colored radish varieties grown on a serious scale — and they come from Hazera.” Combined with the well-known red radishes, these colored varieties make up the AH Snoepmix. This idea came from grower Ortolanda, says Dirk-Jan. “The mix of different colored radishes, sold in a top-seal package, fits the growing demand for snack vegetables,” explains Ad Coolbergen, Managing Director of Ortolanda.

“We always keep the consumer in mind, the one who ultimately puts our product on their plate. That’s precisely why collaboration across the entire chain is so important,” says Dirk-Jan. He is referring to the cooperation between Hazera, Ortolanda, Bakker Barendrecht (part of Greenyard), and Albert Heijn, from which the award-winning radish mix originated. “Breeding, developing, growing, and marketing products like this requires craftsmanship.” Ad agrees: “Successfully introducing a new product to the market demands strong chain collaboration, with everyone aligned and working towards the same goal. Together, we can meet market demands and respond to consumer trends.” This has worked out excellently with this radish mix, Dirk-Jan adds. “The trend for 2024 is healthy snacking, where people choose vegetables and fruit instead of candy or chips. This radish mix perfectly meets two important consumer needs: healthy and convenient snacking.” Ad expects the mix to appeal to a whole new, especially younger, target group. “The radishes look appealing, are healthy, and are ready-to-eat in the container. With this product, Albert Heijn is making healthy snacking accessible.” Both Hazera and Ortolanda are proud to contribute to this success.

Dirk-Jan looks to the future with optimism, both in terms of products and chain collaboration. “Radish is a wonderful vegetable that helps people make healthier choices. The fact that the AH Snoepgroente radish mix was voted Product of the Year is recognition that we, together with our breeders and partners, are on the right path — and it encourages us to continue developing products like this.”