Belgium’s Colruyt Group has announced that it will purchase 25 hectares of organic land from the Het Zilverleen farm in Alveringem.
The moves comes as the retail giant aims to meet the increasing demand for organic products.
The owners of the farm, Marleen Masson and Jean-Pierre Mouton, are already suppliers for the Colruyt Group.
The farm sells 70% of its organic vegetables through Colruyt and Bio-Planet.
“Our main desire was for our work to exploit organic land to be continued. Colruyt Group’s sustainable vision of farming will ensure a strong future for this company in organic cultivation,” Mouton said.
Future Aims
The group is now looking for an experienced organic farmer who shares the company’s vision, and is willing to work independently based on an agreement with the company.
Stefan Goethaert, general manager of Colruyt Group Fine Food called Het Zilverleen "a unique opportunity", adding that it represents a "perfect starting point for cultivating a rich variety of organic vegetables. By investing here, we can help to ensure that this land will continue to be used for organic cultivation."
Maintaining Local Organic Cultivation
Through this investment, Colruyt Group will maintain a steady supply of organic products, which are produced in Belgium, and safeguard local organic production.
The initiative aligns with the company's ambition to create new and sustainable collaboration models and partnerships in the farming and agrifood sector.
The retail giant previously partnered with groups to develop new varieties of apples, and is also running a 'Belgian potato project'.
Nine growers are planting potatoes, encompassing a gross harvest of 5,000 tonnes, which are being sold in 78 Colruyt stores under two own brand labels.
In June of this year, the Belgian retailer announced that it is establishing a 100% organic Belgian pork supply chain.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
