Aphid-resistant iceberg lettuce varieties seen as a key step toward safeguarding quality, shelf life, and sustainability across the fresh produce value chain

The currant-lettuce aphid continues to challenge iceberg lettuce growers, processors, and retailers across the fresh produce value chain. Jantine Heemskerk, Managing Director of Heemskerk fresh & easy, has welcomed Rijk Zwaan’s new Nr:0,1-resistant iceberg lettuce varieties — Happinas RZ and Friendlinas RZ — calling them “a significant and promising step” toward a sustainable solution.

Iceberg lettuce is a core product for Heemskerk fresh & easy, used in over 30 pre-packed salads and end products across retail and food service channels. However, aphid presence poses serious quality and shelf-life risks, even with rigorous washing processes.

While supporting reduced pesticide use, Heemskerk cautioned that tighter crop protection regulations are putting pressure on harvest volumes and quality, with implications for the entire fresh value chain. She stressed that addressing the issue requires shared responsibility across breeders, growers, processors, retailers, and policymakers.

Heemskerk views resistant varieties as a key part of the solution, alongside improved processing and closer value-chain collaboration. “Sustainability is not an afterthought for us — it’s essential for being futureproof,” she said.