'Food should not be a weapon in war'

There are agricultural companies in the Netherlands that consciously continue to supply goods to Russia. Food should never be a weapon to use against a country. Boerenbusiness asked suppliers of seed potatoes, sowing seeds, dairy products and machine parts about their motives.

The Dutch-Polish farmers Wim Kroft and Henri Middelveld pose in an emotional argument that Dutch agribusinesses should show solidarity with Ukraine by no longer supplying goods to Russia. These include Royal FrieslandCampina, DOC Kaas, Barenbrug, Lely, HZPC and Agrico. The editors of Boerenbusiness asked these companies for a response.

HZPC: Food should not be a weapon
Seed potato company HZPC is also supplying seed potatoes to Russia this season. "Propagating material for a cultivation may never be used as a weapon against a country," says HZPC director Gerard Backx firmly. "The European seed and planting industry has this as a common position. Even when the EU imposed sanctions against Russia in 2014 (at the annexation of Crimea by Russia, ed.) these products were left out of the sanctions."

"The war in Ukraine is a war of the Russian government, not of the Russian people," said Backx. "We use this position for every country worldwide, including other war zones. If you deprive people of food, there will never be a political solution." HZPC has received many reactions to its decision, but is also understanding. Backx notices that emotions sometimes run high and understands this. Seed potatoes are supplied to Russia from four countries. Only in Finland did seed potato growers say they do not want to load any cargo for Russia.

Backx: "I went personally to Finland to speak with the growers. The country has a long history with Russia, it is sensitive there. After our argument, the growers changed their mind and deliveries were made."

Barenbrug: Customers have no part in conflict
Barenbrug says that the company exports grass seed to both Ukraine and Russia. “The vast majority of the business in both countries revolves around agricultural seeds. These seeds play a crucial role in food production and food security, both in Russia and Ukraine. That is the main reason why we try to continue to serve our customers and end users, also although it is very difficult. They have no part in this conflict. And of course we also support our loyal and dedicated Russian employees." According to sources, Barenbrug would no longer supply sports and recreational mixtures to Russian customers. The company's spokesperson would neither deny nor confirm that. 

DMK remains for the time being, but sees the situation as dynamic
FrieslandCampina is surprised that it is still being held accountable for activities in Russia, because it shut down all Russian activities for well over a week after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. DMK, the parent company of DOC Kaas, no longer exports any product to Russia. On the other hand, it does have two cheese factories in Russia, which continue to operate. According to DMK, these are 'subsistence activities', which run on Russian supplies and whose production is sold exclusively in Russia. "We have decided to focus on our role in feeding the Russian population. With the start of the war, we have also decided to use all profits from our local Russian companies for humanitarian purposes until further notice."

However, DMK is keeping a close eye on the situation. "The situation is dynamic - if we need to take further action, we will not hesitate to do so. With our actions, we reaffirm our support for the innocent victims of this war and join the call for a peaceful solution and a immediate end of the war," said a company spokesman.

Lely Industries indicates that it has immediately stopped supplying robots to farmers in Russia and Belarus from March 4. Orders that have already been placed have been cancelled. Lely is still trying to keep up the supply of maintenance products and spare parts to existing customers, because the company does not want to leave these farmers and their animals out in the cold. From a business point of view, this is of no benefit to the company. Lely also respects the embargo imposed by the international community and strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Lely tries to deal with the employees in Russia and Belarus, for whom there is currently no more work, as well as possible.

Agrico could not be reached for comment.

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