Vegetable and legume manufacturer HAK has been a household name in the Netherlands for nearly 75 years. The Noord-Brabant-based company aspires to be a fair and sustainable future for local arable farming and has set firm goals in this regard. For example, HAK wants to switch to organic cultivation for all vegetables and legumes from the Netherlands by 2027. Joachim Nieuwhoff, Director of Purchasing and Agriculture, provides an additional explanation of this plan.
Within three years only organic cultivation from the Netherlands; why this sharp deadline?
HAK wants to continue to invest in sustainability. In recent years, we have already certified our local cultivation On the way to PlanetProof, and this is the next step. We believe in not only the long-term benefits of organic farming, but also that it will contribute significantly to the future sustainability of our company. We envision improved Dutch cultivation practices as well as a better living environment that includes healthy soil, good water quality, and overall healthier food.
And are you on track?
We have started growing organic beets and the first ones are now in the supermarket. It is emphatically not a separate line, but a replacement for the current red beets. Beet is a robust crop that lends itself well to organic cultivation cultivation due to its relatively short cultivation time, which gives less opportunity for weeds, pests, and fungi to damage the crop. In addition, the crop fits well into the schedules of organic growers. Beet will be followed by green beans, kale and white cabbage (sauerkraut) from Dutch soil this year.
What challenges do you have to overcome to achieve your goals?
In terms of cultivation, the biggest challenge lies in controlling weeds. By sowing the crops later, we shorten the growing season and reduce the risk of weeds. This does create a challenge on the planning and production side, in which choices will have to be made. In the future, robotization will become an important tool in weed control.
What specific requirements do you have for organic cultivation?
For us, this means that we do not use chemical crop protection or fertilizers. Green agents under the SKAL certificate are allowed.
How important is the red beet crop to HAK?
Our beets are a beloved product for many consumers in the Netherlands. It is a product with a specific and unique recipe with which HAK distinguishes itself from other manufacturers. Therefore, beets must meet certain conditions: we only process round, red beets in different grades. The beets are delivered washed and sorted and must be free of foreign bodies, healthy and unblemished, i.e. (virtually) no blemishes or black spots.
As a seed company, what role can Bejo play in achieving your goals?
Keeping readily available, high-quality varieties that produce stable yields under varying climatic conditions is one-way Bejo can help us achieve our goal. The inbreeding of different resistances (such as against Rhizomania) remains a very important tool in this respect. So, continuing to breed in search of improvements to existing varieties is also a prerequisite for this. It is important to continue discussing new opportunities in the market together. As Bejo is good at breeding new varieties, if HAK can use these crops, then we must seize the opportunity to work together.
HAK
HAK is a Dutch vegetable and legume manufacturer based in the North Brabant town of Giessen. Founded in 1952, the company produces summer and winter vegetables such as green beans, carrots, red cabbage and beet, as well as legumes, such as brown beans and marrowfat peas. With its vegetables, HAK aims to promote a plant-based and healthy diet. At least 85 percent of the products are grown within 125 kilometers of Giessen, creating the lowest possible negative impact on the planet. HAK believes in honest and sustainable farming practices for the future of local arable farming, as well as for our food. One essential condition to achieving this is presenting an attractive earnings model for the grower.
- Commit to sustainability and full organic local cultivation by 2027
Beet Magazine
This article is from the first edition of our Beet Magazine. This issue delves into the multifaceted world of this vibrant root vegetable, covering everything from the latest challenges in seed production to the cultural significance of beets in different corners of the world. View the entire magazine here.
Beet Magazine
