Comment Filip Fontaine, BelOrta
“We want to strengthen the sector and help members of other corporations. That is why we offered the growers from Auction Haspengouw this opportunity. There will be no amalgamation, but we will take responsibility for the sales of their fruit. In our opinion, this is the correct and most market-focused solution,” says Filip Fontaine.
The top fruit volumes of Auction Haspengouw and Auction BelOrta, together, do not constitute even half of the Belgian fruit total, according to Filip Fontaine. “The volumes are not such that we would expect problems from the relevant authorities. It is not certain that all the fruit will be combined because this is not a takeover. The producers who like this idea can take the offer or not.”
Comment from Marijke Vanderstukken, Auction Haspengouw
Marijke Vanderstukken: “This cooperation reduces the costs of fruit marketing, it also makes the products more accessible for trade, and we think that we can create a better position for the producers of both corporations. Fruit production has been hit hard by the Russian import ban. Besides, the bad weather conditions caused a lot of damage and made part of the fruit unsuitable for selling. With this intention statement, both corporations take their responsibilities and arm their people against the coming season.”
“We will have to look in the next few days to see what we should do about the integration process,” she says. “The most important thing for us is that the commercial cooperation starts as soon as possible.’
Univeg and Haspengouw
To improve their weak commercial position, Auction Haspengouw started talking with several parties last year, including BFV and Univeg, to see if either of them could offer a solution. Earlier this year, Marijke Vanderstukken said in an interview, that they were happy with the way the talks with Univeg were going. “Many people think that Univeg will sell our fruit, but that is not the case. H-Fruit will keep selling its own fruit and Carlo along with members of the board will dictate the policy. Univeg was and remains a customer. The main advantage for us is that we can access their enormous network. Some transactions will go directly through H-Fruit and others through Univeg. Of course, we should not hide the fact that this collaboration has given us new financial means which have helped us a lot,” she said.
Greenyard stopped collaboration in the beginning of September
Greenyard Foods will sell its part in H-Fruit and H-pack to Auction Haspengouw. Greenyard Foods has reported that there is an agreement regarding the complete withdrawal from Auction Haspengouw. The continuing boycott of Russia, combined with bad weather conditions, keep giving problems to local, Belgian producers. The members of the board of Auction Haspengouw have announced their wish to integrate horizontally with other corporations. A combination with other market parties would make it possible to realise the necessary cost reduction.
Greenyard Foods wishes to support Auction Haspengouw in its decision to upscale and improve efficiency. That is why they chose to quit the joint venture. The agreement includes that the shares of H-Fruit (50.00%) and H-Pack (50.01%) are completely taken over by Auction Haspengouw.
The intended collaboration needs to be accepted and submitted to the relevant institutes.
For more information:
Filip Fontaine
Director BelOrta
+32 15 565 292
Marijke Vanderstukken
Director Auction Haspengouw
+32 11 670 611
