Potato specialist UK closed after corona outbreak

Potato specialty producer Aunt Bessie's from the eastern English coastal town of Hull closed its doors on September 16 after a series of corona outbreaks within the company. The adjacent Chaucer Foods factory has also closed its doors as a precaution.

Aunt Bessie's is a branch of the American-British Nomand Foods group. This company became known, among other things, when it took over frozen food giant Iglo in 2015. The company's factories focus on frozen vegetable products, including potato specialities. These are exported to 13 European countries.

Number of employees infected
Aunt Bessie's in Hull produces quintessential British produce – such as the yorkshire pudding – as well as potato products such as frozen chips, oven potatoes and mash. A large part of these potato products is supplied by Agristo from the Netherlands and Belgium.

Management confirmed a series of coronavirus outbreaks on September 16, which has closed doors to all 350 employees. Tightened measures, which have been in effect since March, have not been able to prevent a small number of employees from becoming infected. According to management, more than is required by law has been done to prevent infections within the company.

The neighboring Chaucer Foods factory, which produces freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, has also closed its doors. The company says it is doing this as a precaution even though there are no registered infections. All staff are tested.

Not the first outbreak
It is not the first outbreak of the corona virus in the United Kingdom. Earlier, a chicken slaughterhouse in Wales and a Scottish abattoir were closed. The bakery specialty producer Bakkavör also closed its doors after an outbreak.

Niels van der Boom

Niels van der Boom is a senior market specialist for arable crops at DCA Market Intelligence. He mainly makes analyses and market updates about the potato market. In columns he shares his sharp view on the arable sector and technology.

n.vanderboom@boerenbusiness. Nl

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.