Fruit Research Centre - Applied research on nursery stock and fruit in Randwijk

FRC Randwijk is a collaboration between extension services Fruitconsult, CAF, Delphy, the Dutch Fruit Growers Organisation (NFO), and WUR. WUR carries out research and tailor-made trials for various parts of the fruit supply chain. Innovations are tested under realistic cultivation conditions, with multiple-year follow-up. Our specialists support you from research design through to analysis and advice, providing reliable results and practical insights. WUR’s strength lies in combining applied and fundamental research, enabling us to deliver both direct applications and deeper knowledge.

FRC Randwijk has orchards for both conventional and organic systems. WUR also operates modern storage cells and laboratories at this location, where we study shelf life, flavour, product quality, phytopathology and entomology samples. This allows you to gain insight into the performance of innovations across the entire production chain.

WUR’s research themes at Randwijk include precision technology, plant health, soil and water, precision techniques and robotics and sustainable production systems. We are also working on the development of small fruit crops. In this way, we help innovations move more quickly from research to practical application.

WUR’s expertise in Randwijk is aimed at companies and organisations that want to test or develop innovations in fruit growing through independent research. This includes grower organisations that wish to explore sustainable solutions for plant health challenges, technology developers testing systems in practice, or growers and supply chain partners seeking insight into quality and shelf life. We deliver practical data and advice that support sound innovation decisions.

The Fruit Research Centre Randwijk is a joint research and demonstration centre established by Wageningen University & Research, Fruitconsult, CAF, the Dutch Fruit Growers Organisation (NFO) and Delphy. The extension services Fruitconsult, CAF and Delphy are the shareholders of the experimental farm at FRC Randwijk. It is the largest independent research site for fruit cultivation in the Netherlands.

Across more than 18 hectares of trial fields and orchards, new varieties, cultivation methods and technologies are tested under both conventional and organic systems. In addition to the orchards and plots of FRC Randwijk, WUR Randwijk has storage facilities and laboratories for research on quality, shelf life, phytopathology and entomology.

The centre also serves as a venue for demonstrations, field days and meetings. It brings together researchers, advisers, businesses and growers. Randwijk is therefore a key hub for knowledge and innovation in Dutch fruit growing, where science and practice strengthen each other.