Fake news about potato contracts

It is alluded in the media that the potato processing industry in the Netherlands is seeking tonnage contracts without a force majeure clause. The Dutch Arable Farming Union (NAV) has already announced that this should absolutely not happen.

However, a tour of a number of stakeholders shows that the reports are based on rumours. The rumor got into the world through a quote from Daniël Ryckmans (Fiwap) in Potato World. He says he fears that the tonnage contracts will continue to apply in Belgium, because he would have heard that the Dutch industry also wants to switch to the Belgian contracts.

Rumors taken over
The ruling was taken up by other media and business adviser Frans van Wanrooij (ABAB) subsequently wrote a blog, in which he also said that the Dutch industry wants tonnage contracts without a force majeure clause. "In that blog I only express what a few small buyers have polled from customers. The purpose of my blog was that potato growers should think carefully about their sales," says van Wanrooij.

Finally, the NAV reacted furiously with a press release. However, Keimpe van der Heide (NAV) indicates that it is a shot ahead, especially in response to the rumours. "We are also responding to the rumor in the media, but have not received further information from the industry."

Industry knows nothing
Inquiry from Boerenbusiness the Dutch potato processing industry shows that the potato processors have no plans at all to switch to tonnage contracts without a force majeure clause. 

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