Such varieties are in great demand among customers, says Mark Charlesworth, Crop Coordinator at Rijk Zwaan: “The market for this babyleaf crop is growing because the product is perfectly aligned with the convenience trend. Besides that, consumers love its peppery, nutty flavour. But although the rocket market is expanding, the development of new varieties has been lagging behind.” The market has been dominated for years by companies in Italy, where the origins of rocket lie. Innovation was not a priority for them – but Rijk Zwaan is now set to change things with the launch of Rocketeerz.

Three varieties available

The first three varieties will become available this year, starting with Sinope RZ and Themisto RZ. “These are wild types with incised leaves, a good flavour and extensive resistances. In response to growers’ wishes, they can also be tunnel-grown in the winter months in moderate climates,” adds Charlesworth. These will be followed by Sparkle RZ which, as the name suggests, is a dazzlingly good and also innovative variety. Roelofs: “It is a variety of the Eruca type, with the characteristic taste of rocket but spinach-shaped leaves. As a result, it’s visually distinct from other rocket varieties.” All three varieties have been extensively trialled, both by growers and in collaboration with vegetable processing companies.