Australia
April 26, 2026
What makes a red cabbage variety’s performance stand out from the rest? We caught up with Rijk Zwaan brassica crop specialist, Stephanie Knight, to talk about Red Margarita RZ and why this variety is gaining attention across Australian growing regions.
What is Red Margarita RZ, and what makes it special?
Red Margarita RZ is a new red cabbage variety from Rijk Zwaan that has been tested across most Australian growing regions and seasons.
It produces uniform, round heads averaging around 2.5 kg, with a maturity window of 70–85 days, making it a reliable option for summer through to autumn production in many regions.
What’s really setting it apart is its consistency and speed - delivering high-quality heads with predictable performance. It’s a variety growers can plan around, with confidence in weight, shape and timing.
What makes Red Margarita RZ stand out among red cabbage varieties?
Consistency is a key strength. Red Margarita RZ delivers uniform performance across weight, shape and maturity, giving growers confidence in what to expect from crop to crop.
Strong vigour and really uniform growth mean it moves a bit quicker — you’re getting to maturity faster and running a more efficient crop overall. And in a season where time and inputs matter more than ever, getting product to market sooner is a real advantage.
Beyond the field, Red Margarita RZ also performs well across the supply chain. Its deep purple colour provides strong visual appeal, while its tender, sweet leaves deliver excellent eating quality. Combined with impressive shelf life, it helps reduce waste and maintain quality through to retail and consumption.
How is the market evolving for red cabbage?
Red cabbage is showing steady growth across the supply chain. Fresh cabbage production is up 2% year-on-year, with exports increasing by 12% and foodservice supply up 10%, according to the Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook 2024/25.
With strong retail appeal and versatility across fresh, foodservice and processing, red cabbage continues to offer a stable and reliable market for growers.
What support does Rijk Zwaan offer growers wanting to try Red Margarita RZ?
Red Margarita RZ is a commercially available variety, trialled across a wide range of Australian growing conditions and is available for brassica growers to trial and purchase.
Our team is on hand throughout the season, providing practical support to help manage challenges and optimise performance.
On a lighter note — How do you get through a whole cabbage?
It never lasts long in our house! In winter, slow-cooked with onion and bacon is a go-to. In summer, it’s all about fresh, crunchy dishes like these rice paper rolls — quick, easy and a great way to use up whatever is in the bottom of the fridge.
Though, if you’ve got a smaller household, Red Margarita RZ’s strong shelf life really helps — it keeps well in the fridge until you’re ready for the second half.
Want to see Red Margarita RZ in the ground?
Join us at VicVID!
A free, vegetable industry event bringing together leading growers, innovators, researchers, and service providers, showcasing a dynamic mix of field trials, demonstrations, machinery displays, and presentations across a wide range of crops and production topics.
7–8 May 2026
Taranto Farms, Tyabb
Red Margarita
RED MARGARITA RZ F1 (28-RC325)
Cabbage | Red | Round
Topics
Species
