YEAR-END INTERVIEW

This month, trade magazine ‘Primeur/Freshplaza’ published an interview with two of our board members: Dammis van der Staay and Matthijs Vlasblom.

How was 2023 for you in your business and private life?

Matthijs: “It’s been a good year in which we managed to achieve substantial growth in both volume and sales.”

Dammis: “Moreover, I’ve been in the midst of winding down my activities and handing over to the new management team. As a family, we chose to continue the business with a new management team, which has been in place for about a year now. The family is pleased with the way things are currently going.”

What are the biggest challenges facing your business?

Dammis: “Cost increases compounded by regulatory pressure. That’s a huge challenge.”

Matthijs: “Product availability (climate change!) and staff shortages also play an important role. After the pandemic, market shortages were really problematic, but now we’re back to a good level. However, there are still certain positions that are difficult to fill.”

What will you definitely be doing differently in 2024?

Matthijs: “We’re satisfied with the past year. We’ll continue the course we have set into 2024.”

Who should we really interview in Primeur in the new year?

A politician from the Hague. Maybe then we, as a company operating in the potato, vegetable and fruit sector, can better understand why certain rules and subsidies exist and why some measures are taken.