Consolidated profit at BelOrta: 1.4 million Euro

The fruit and vegetable Auction BelOrta held their annual meeting on Thursday May 7th at the registered office in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium. 2014 was the first working year after the merger between Borgloon and BelOrta (which formed in 2013 with MV and Coöbra). The new fruit division had financial difficulties again due to the Russian import ban. However, BelOrta was still able to predict positive numbers for the 2014 operating year.

Thanks to 1,350 fruit and vegetable growers and 358 employees, BelOrta was able to realize a consolidated turnover of more than 427 million Euro. A cooperative return of 4 million Euro has been reserved. After processing this return to the cooperative parties, a consolidated profit of 1.4 million Euro was left. The shareholders approved of the proposed allocation of profit, which allocates a 6% dividend on their capital.

Sound financial structure

With a solvency ratio of 30%, BelOrta can enjoy a healthy financial structure. As a cooperative, BelOrta does not focus on profit maximization. Like the customers, the grower-shareholders expect a low cost structure for maximum quality of service.

Low commission (average 2.27% net for all growers), payment security and short payout periods and GMO support, including hail/crop insurance, are and will continue to be important assets for all BelOrta growers.

Goodbye to Jos van Dessel

BelOrta's meeting ended with a drink and a snack, as a goodbye to Jos van Dessel, BelOrta's commercial manager. BelOrta management will continue on in the following way: Chris De Pooter (director), Filip Fontaine (director), Jos Craemers (director), Isabel De Blaiser (quality manager), Jo Lambrecht (commercial manager), Rudy Luytens (operational manager), Jo Op de Beeck (financial & HR manager), en Ludo Van Kelst (product manager).

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