In the context of the planned Landmark project, producer organization Landgard is seeing possibilities to further the internationalization of its producer structures in Hungary. It concerns the first-hand procurement of goods for LEH/discount in Hungary, but export as well.
Left to right: Thomas Schlich (Managing Director of Landgard Obst & Gemüse GmbH & Co. KG), Hans-Jürgen Best (Planning Officer of the City of Essen), Prof. Hubert Schulte-Kemper (Chairman of the Board of Fakt AG), Dr. Ing. Petra Ponvács-Pana (Deputy Hungarian Secretary of State for Economic Affairs), dr. István Nagy (Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Hungary), Zsolt Jamniczky (E.ON Hungary), Mihály Varga (President of Kesz Holding Ltd)
"Landmark change for the agriculture of Hungary"
FAKT AG plans to set up an integrated center for the production, processing and distribution of agricultural products on a 330-hectare site in the border triangle of Hungary-Austria-Slovakia, together with other partners in north-western Hungary. The project partners announced this last week in a press conference in Hungary.
"Everything that happens here today is an epochal change for the agriculture of Hungary," said the Hungarian Minister of Agriculture, praising István Nagy's project plans. Overall, the project will create 3,000 to 5,000 jobs in the region over the long term, with a total investment volume of up to € 1.0 billion, said Prof. Hubert Schulte-Kemper, CEO of Fakt AG.
Left to right: István Nagy (Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Hungary), Hans-Jürgen Best (Planning Department of the City of Essen), Thomas Schlich (Managing Director of Landgard Obst & Gemüse GmbH & Co. KG), Prof. Hubert Schulte-Kemper (Chairman of the Board of Fakt AG), Dr , Petra Ponvács-Pana (Deputy Hungarian Secretary of State for Economic Affairs), Mihály Varga (President of Kesz Holding Ltd), Zsolt Jamniczky (E.ON Hungary)
On an area of about 300,000 square meters, cultivation of greenhouse crops and professional outdoor cultivation for the year-round production of produce like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, culinary herbs and other products will be conceivable. For example, around 500,000 square meters are planned for the protected cultivation of asparagus, berry fruits, melons and stone fruits. As part of the cooperation, Landgard is establishing the production and marketing of fresh fruit and vegetable products with Hungarian companies and it will accomplish sustainable marketing.
Optimization of first-hand purchase of goods
"As the leading producer cooperative for fruit and vegetables as well as flowers and plants in Europe, we have first-class connections to leading European retail chains as well as to producers," explains Thomas Schlich, Managing Director of Landgard Obst & Gemüse GmbH & Co. KG. "The expansion of sustainable and demand-oriented production in our neighbor Hungary will offer us optimal conditions for the targeted development and expansion of important customer and supplier relationships in the fruit and vegetables sector within the framework of the first-hand procurement of goods."
In addition to the modern agricultural production areas, other important components of the holistic concept of Fakt AG centers for distribution, processing and logistics, as well as family-friendly housing, schools, a conference center, shopping facilities and a modern camping area are planned.
Landgard Fruit & Vegetable Hungary
With a local branch, Landgard Hungary is already responsible for the entire support of producers and exporters in Hungary, quality management and the organization of logistics from Hungary to Germany. The product portfolio includes -among others- Chinese cabbage, green, white and purple asparagus, white cabbage or pointed paprika, but also cherries, sour cherries, apricots, plums, watermelons or walnuts. The Hungarian Landgard member companies and partners play a very important role in ensuring a year-round availability of goods and integrated category solutions for retailers.
Landgard currently has around 3,300 members - regionally, nationally and internationally. In addition to 2,600 members in Germany, the share of international producers is increasing steadily through the targeted acquisition of global members in key growing areas and product segments.
For more information: www.landgard.de