Three businesses owned by the Van Bakel family in Vredepeel have been declared bankrupt by the Limburg District Court. These businesses include the dairy farm in Vredepeel itself and a dairy factory that produced lactoferrin. What are the details of this case?
The exact reason for the bankruptcy has yet to be clarified. According to the latest announcement from the receiver, even there has been a misunderstanding.
The fact is that the Van Bakel family's businesses have a turbulent history. Last year, a lawsuit between the Van Bakel family and the municipality of Venray, concerning several installations that would or would not fall within the building block and the permits for them. The case was ultimately decided in the Van Bakel family's favor. Financially, the dispute has also been tense before.
In the bankruptcy declaration, most attention is focused on the dairy farm – Vreba Melkvee CV. This is said to be one of the largest dairy farms in the Netherlands, with approximately 2200 animals last year. However, this was well within the permit limits.
Not affected by the bankruptcy are several satellite farms with dairy cattle elsewhere in Brabant and Gelderland. The question is whether these will be able to survive after the bankruptcy of Vreba Melkvee CV and, equally importantly, Farmer House Products.
55 million kilos of milk
This latter company, also located in Vredepeel, includes a dairy plant with a reported annual capacity of 55 million kilos, but that figure is from 2021. The company's core activity, according to the statement, was the production of lactoferrin from cow's milk. Lactoferrin is a highly sought-after ingredient for infant formula, among other things.
Not only did Vreba's own milk go to the Farmer House factory. Milk was also purchased externally, including from Germany, for example, from a small supplier cooperative in North Rhine-Westphalia. The bankruptcy could therefore also affect several external companies.
While the three bankrupt companies affect a significant portion of the Van Bakel family's operations, not all businesses are affected. A total of 27 businesses are registered at the family's addresses in Vredepeel.
Update 21-8-2025: Meanwhile became known that the bankruptcy of three companies of the Van Bakel Group has been lifted more than a day after it was declared.