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HAK significantly scales back its organic ambitions
Three years ago, HAK decided that all of its Dutch production must be organic by 2027. Now, the vegetable processor is significantly lowering that target to a minimum of 15%. The reasons cited are disappointing demand and persistent cost pressure in the supply chain, including inflation, energy, and labor costs. The company is also removing the organic certification from its jars to avoid the requirement that all ingredients be organic.
Earlier this year, several producers indicated that organic sales are under pressure. Production costs have risen in recent years, as have food prices. Nicole Freid, CEO of HAK, already indicated in an interview in the summer Boerenbusiness know That the challenging market is making it difficult for HAK to achieve its ambition of having all Dutch production 100% organic by 2027. Freid said at the time: "It's clearly difficult because we don't want the products to become more expensive for the market, so we have to absorb the extra costs ourselves. One of the possible outcomes, but we can only determine that in the fall, is that we have to adjust our pace."
The latter has indeed happened. Freid stated in a press release: "We've made great strides with our growers in recent years and learned a great deal. At the same time, we face many challenges. Demand for organic has grown less rapidly than expected. And inflation has increased cost pressure in the supply chain, driving the need for affordable groceries. Cultivation is also challenging. For example, our organic broad bean harvest failed completely this year due to an insect infestation. Therefore, certifying all local crops organically and continuing to absorb the additional costs ourselves is no longer feasible if we don't want to make our products more expensive."
From 100% to at least 15% organic
HAK has now chosen to farm at least 15% organically in the coming years. The Dutch government's target is for 15% of its agricultural area to be organic by 2030. Recent figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) showed that the share of organic land in the total agricultural area has barely increased this year. The share increased from 4,7% in 2024 to 4,8% in 2025. The organic arable land also grew. for the first time since 2015 (as far back as the number series goes) this year.
HAK wants to focus its 15% organic production on crops that are easily grown organically, such as beets, sauerkraut, and green beans. HAK will continue to grow the remaining crops under the "On the way to PlanetProof" label.
Organic quality mark disappears from jars
The company also removes the organic certification from the jars that do contain organically grown vegetables. "HAK consciously chooses to emphasize organically certified cultivation. "And not on organically certified products, where all added ingredients must also be organic," HAK states. "The organic supply of these ingredients, such as vinegar, is small, making them very expensive. This negatively impacts affordability. Moreover, the impact of these additional ingredients is minimal, as they make up less than 10% of the product."
Linda van Eekeres
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