Hannes Hollebecq.
Cooperatives are on the rise
"Are there 2.5 million business who are done?" Hannes asked out loud. Figures show that this certainly isn't the case. Many types of cooperatives are doing well and some are joining in various sectors. Coopburo is guiding increasing amounts of workers cooperatives or small businesses working cooperatively to compete with the big players. It certainly isn't a hype and it isn't just small businesses. Take SWIFT group Meno and Ecopower for example. These are good examples of cooperatives."
Long live cooperatives!
With the cliches of cooperatives in mind there are three different option according to Hollebecq: 1. Determine cooperatives are dead. 2. Extend their life. 3. Long live cooperatives! "The final option is, of course, the one we have to choose," he emphasises. "We can be proud of our cooperatives and should show it! The market share of fruit and vegetable cooperatives was the highest in the Netherlands and Belgium in 2010. This isn't a coincidence, but also not evidence. A cooperative isn't a miracle cure, certainly in times of crisis. And working together isn't easy. But the benefits outweigh the costs. Even in a sector where scaling is the rule rather than the exception."
Click here for a photo report of the cooperative event.
What would happen without them?
Hannes indicated that it is sometime hard to prove what the economic added value of the cooperative model is for the members. This is why Cera and Boerenbon took the initiative to start a knowledge centre 'Cooperative business' at the KU Leuven. "It can, however, be explained. Let people ask what would happen without sales cooperatives or producers organisations. This is a difficult questions, but history shows answers. Why did Raiffeisen start? And if you look at the origin story of the auctions 80 years ago, the local market with tens of farmers and a few buyers, translates into the current European market with 3 million growers and only 100 large buyers, isn't this the same story? And topicality also provides possible answers, for instance breaking up supply contracts in the dairy sector."
Click here for the photo report of the cooperative event
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