Last week it was reported that Flevoplant from Ens and the English S&A Produce had come into conflict. S&A Produce was said to be buying 2.7 million strawberry plants, but didn't want to meet the payment conditions of the Flevoland grower. This caused Flevoplant to threaten to sell the plants to others. Summary proceedings were started on behalf of S&A Produce to get the plants regardless.
Verdict
On Monday July 9 the parties received the judge's verdict by phone. "The claim made by S&A Produce has been rejected and they have been ruled to be in the wrong. The motivation will follow in two weeks. The verdict was made quickly because the cuttings will be harvested in a few weeks," says Klaas Niewold. "We are very happy with the ruling, but will have to make contact with S&A Produce over the coming days to figure it out together."
"We had a portion of the cutting made especially for S&A Produce and it concerns a serious amount of strawberries. In this cultivation when a company doesn't get the plants it's hard to fill that hole," according to Niewold. Whether there would actually be a shortage if the strawberry plants don't go to S&A, isn't certain, according to the general director. "If the plants don't go to the United Kingdom, there is a chance there could be a shortage there."
Balanced
"In the media it's being made out that Flevoplant forced S&A at gunpoint to accept certain conditions. It certainly wasn't our intention to make the other party meet the condition in this manner. You want a balanced verdict for your own company and the other party," according to Klaas.
According to Flevoplant's general director, this story is a good example of the power of the chain. "The power often seems to shift towards the end of the chain and as growers we aren't too happy with this as we're at the start of the chain. The verdict doesn't just support us, it helps other growers to stand their ground when pressured to accept certain conditions. The power can't be at the start or the end of the chain, it has to be in a fair balance."