For decades, Hars en Hagebauer BV has been a well known name in fruit import in the Netherlands. The German family business, founded in 1882, has been active in the Netherlands since 1984. In recent years, the company has been experiencing healthy growth with a specialisation in mangoes. This has resulted in Hars & Hagebauer now becoming a renowned year-round importer of fully certified mangoes.
In order to provide space for business and private ambitions, Piet Hoek, Peter Molendijk and Ad Toet started a Trade division within Hars & Hagebauer at Hars & Hagebauer. Not so much to import and market more mangoes, but to add a stable second leg to the company in addition to the mango business. First of all with avocados, but also with ginger, pineapple, grapes and limes. The gentlemen had a good start last year, the import and trade in avocado was particularly successful from the start.
Peter Molendijk, Ad Toet and Piet Hoek
Trade with China
In addition, a stable basis was laid during the previous year for shaping imports from China. With a particular focus on pomelo, ginger and chestnuts. As a result, the company has grown into a large volume player with pomelo in 'no time'. Within Hars & Hagebauer, Piet Hoek in particular is involved in the import of these products. When asked about the success of this import and trade, he replies: "Firstly, we only do business with parties in China that can guarantee everything regarding residue and MRL requirements as demanded by European retail. These are almost always requirements that still exceed EU standards. This allows us to offer a 100% safe product. In addition, in China we only do business with the “source”, so no vague middlemen we cannot rely on in terms of both volumes and residue requirements", said Piet.
All this has resulted in imports from China growing explosively in a short period of time, with Hars & Hagebauer moving from a relatively modest player last year to large and stable volumes this year. "We noticed very quickly that our approach was and is appreciated, both in China and with our customers," continues Piet. "Clarity, security, stable available volumes and an always competitive price pay off sooner or later. The fact that we can do this within the stable structure of Hars & Hagebauer is what makes it interesting for suppliers and customers to do business with us."
When asked about the further plans of the three gentlemen, they answer that they still have plenty of tricks up their sleeves. "But above all we want to continue on the path we have taken." Stability, that is the central motto of Hars & Hagebauer. And we have plenty of room to do business there! "
For more information:
Hars & Hagebauer B.V. 
Handelsweg 35
NL - 2988 DB Ridderkerk
Tel .: +31 180 745 100
Fax: +31 180 612 303
trade@harshagebauer.nl