“We are trying to bring in commodities that meet HAK’s requirements using all our knowledge and networks, and we are working on that for days on end. It is an incredibly hectic situation. I’ve heard talk of the largest vegetable shortage in all my 40 years of working in this sector. In 1976 the harvest was very disappointing due to drought, but damages are more extensive now, and include more products,” Den Dekker continues.
“And it is not just a Dutch problem, it is a Western European problem, which is a source of great concern to us. Belgium and the North of France were hit hard as well. We have spread out our production somewhat, but large quantities come from the south. We try to cultivate within a radius of 125 km, because the basis of our products are Dutch commodities.”
According to Den Dekker, HAK does not have immediate delivery problems. “We currently have all products in stock, but the question is what will happen when those stocks start depleting. In any case, we know the harvest will be disappointing. The result is that we receive less product and that the factory will not run efficiently. We will have to improvise greatly to keep the factory going, and to obtain sufficient commodities. Fortunately, we will be able to keep everyone on in the factory.”
