Coöperatie Hoogstraten forms an important link between producer and customer in the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain. We provide an extensive package of services to both members and customers, with a central focus on product quality, freshness, and food safety. In addition to the actual sale of products, we ensure the development and application of a quality policy and communications. Furthermore, we also provide technical and logistical support, such as with the storage of strawberry plants, our bell pepper sorting installation, or the start-up of the cold chain.
A few entrepreneurs founded the company 'Katholieke Veilingsvereniging der Noorderkempen'. Among them: a brewer, two teachers, a trader, two fruit growers and a permanent representative.
During the war years, mainly coarse vegetables are grown. After that, strawberry cultivation expands rapidly. The cultivation is not enough to completely stem the high unemployment in the region, but it does help to significantly increase family income.
Lor van Nijen came to live in Hoogstraten a year after the establishment of "the Auction" and his parents ran a café behind the Auction site. He has seen the company grow from the beginning.
"There was a period in 1944 when there was no Auction. Fortunately, everything was restarted after the war, on the rise."
Strawberry production rises to 3,000 tons in 1951, representing a remarkable 90% of the turnover. Our cooperative is followed: auctions are also established in Roeselare and Sint-Katelijne-Waver.
Professional growers make their entrance. Strawberries for the fresh market are still a success. In addition, gherkins and strawberries for the industry are mainly being sold at auction.
Paul Vanderhallen became one of the company's managers at the young age of 22. He was still studying at the time, but already worked one day a week during his studies.
"Not a year went by without construction here. We were still able to do that in the winter back then, because the Auction was still very seasonal."
The strawberries continued their advance. The first horticultural companies are now also growing vegetables under glass.
In 1977, Luc Verwerft, Jean-Pierre de Paepe, Theo Van Der Hallen, Wim Janssens and Gust Stoffels decided to set up the Hoogstraten Strawberry Ghesellen. Their aim: to promote the strawberries of the Hoogstraten region at home and abroad. They do this by being present at various events. From the very beginning, they have also been allowed to present the early strawberries to H.M. the King and H.M. the Queen and the Governor of the Province of Antwerp.
The horticultural sector embraces technological evolution. Thanks to the cooling of plant material, strawberries can now be harvested year-round. The refinement of cultivation techniques under glass is creating a 'vegetable boom'. Tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers top the charts.
Veiling Hoogstraten is entering the 21st century. The cooling infrastructure has been optimised and online trading is now possible. The cooperative has grown into a massive European player. The first financial year of the new millennium ended with a turnover of €84,284,000. That is why we are also fully committed to a high-performance track & trace system.
Veiling Hoogstraten starts selling specials, without using the auction clock.
Years of cooperation between Veiling Profruco, CLTV Zundert and Veiling Hoogstraten have been confirmed with the establishment of the intercooperative organisation In-Co. When Veiling Profruco disappeared, REO Veiling took its place within the inter-cooperative organisation.
Veiling Hoogstraten celebrates its 75th anniversary. We start the celebration with the introduction of a new logo and an up-to-date corporate identity.
The year begins with sky-high energy prices and a financial crisis. Onr of the worst horticultural years ever. Nevertheless, Veiling Hoogstraten started a sustainable project just then: almost 2,000 solar panels produced 408,000 kWh in the first year.
After a turbulent year, the cultivation companies are getting back on their feet. Even better: Veiling Hoogstraten experienced the largest turnover growth in its existence to date (+31%). This year, more than 25 million kilos of strawberries were delivered, a record harvest! We organised the first International Strawberry Congress. It was an immediate hit with 300 participants from 22 countries!
As many as 30,000 tons of strawberries are sold. A large proportion of the strawberry growers from Veiling Profruco become direct members of Coöperatie Hoogstraten. In addition, investments are being made in the construction of a new vegetable warehouse (1.1 ha).
Coöperatie Hoogstraten obtains the Corporate Social Responsibility charter for the first time.
Innovation is key and so Coöperatie Hoogstraten starts selling cherries. The turnover of the auction exceeds 200 million euro that year.
In early 2016, Veiling Hoogstraten cv changed its name to Coöperatie Hoogstraten cv. The new name underscores the importance of mutual cooperation in an ever-changing business climate.
Introduction of WMS system (Warehouse Management). The ambition is to deliver in a more focused way and to be able to answer customer-specific questions.
In the spring of 2018, the block sale of strawberries will be introduced.
The strawberry growers of CLTV Zundert will become direct members of Coöperatie Hoogstraten. The LAVA digitisation project is also launched in 2019.
In 2020, Coöperatie Hoogstraten introduced a new mission and values. More than ever, the cooperative aims to be a quality reference and an expert in fruit and vegetables. With the Hoogstraten, Home of Quality brand, Coöperatie Hoogstraten demonstrates its commitment as a reliable partner within the sector.
In the coming years, Coöperatie Hoogstraten cv will continue to focus on attracting experienced personnel (with special attention to opportunity groups), in-depth investments in infrastructure, direct communication with producers and customers, and further crystallizing its own identity.
Coöperatie Hoogstraten forms an important link between producer and customer in the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain. We provide an extensive package of services to both members and customers, with a central focus on product quality, freshness, and food safety. In addition to the actual sale of products, we ensure the development and application of a quality policy and communications. Furthermore, we also provide technical and logistical support, such as with the storage of strawberry plants, our bell pepper sorting installation, or the start-up of the cold chain.
A few entrepreneurs founded the company 'Katholieke Veilingsvereniging der Noorderkempen'. Among them: a brewer, two teachers, a trader, two fruit growers and a permanent representative.
During the war years, mainly coarse vegetables are grown. After that, strawberry cultivation expands rapidly. The cultivation is not enough to completely stem the high unemployment in the region, but it does help to significantly increase family income.
Lor van Nijen came to live in Hoogstraten a year after the establishment of "the Auction" and his parents ran a café behind the Auction site. He has seen the company grow from the beginning.
"There was a period in 1944 when there was no Auction. Fortunately, everything was restarted after the war, on the rise."
Strawberry production rises to 3,000 tons in 1951, representing a remarkable 90% of the turnover. Our cooperative is followed: auctions are also established in Roeselare and Sint-Katelijne-Waver.
Professional growers make their entrance. Strawberries for the fresh market are still a success. In addition, gherkins and strawberries for the industry are mainly being sold at auction.
Paul Vanderhallen became one of the company's managers at the young age of 22. He was still studying at the time, but already worked one day a week during his studies.
"Not a year went by without construction here. We were still able to do that in the winter back then, because the Auction was still very seasonal."
The strawberries continue to advance. They are getting fresh company: the first horticultural companies are now also growing vegetables under glass.
In 1977, Luc Verwerft, Jean-Pierre de Paepe, Theo Van Der Hallen, Wim Janssens, and Gust Stoffels decided to establish the Ghesellen van de Aardbei van Hoogstraten (Guild of the Hoogstraten Strawberry). Their goal: to promote the strawberries from the Hoogstraten region at home and abroad. They do this by being present at various events. From the very beginning, they are also allowed to offer the first strawberries of the season to H.M. the King and H.M. the Queen and the governor of the province of Antwerp.
The horticultural sector embraces technological evolution. Thanks to the cooling of plant material, strawberries can now be harvested year-round. The refinement of cultivation techniques under glass is creating a 'vegetable boom'. Tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers top the charts.
Veiling Hoogstraten is entering the 21st century. The cooling infrastructure has been optimised and online trading is now possible. The cooperative has grown into a massive European player. The first financial year of the new millennium ended with a turnover of €84,284,000. That is why we are also fully committed to a high-performance track & trace system.
Veiling Hoogstraten starts selling specials, without using the auction clock.
Years of cooperation between Veiling Profruco, CLTV Zundert and Veiling Hoogstraten have been confirmed with the establishment of the intercooperative organisation In-Co. When Veiling Profruco disappeared, REO Veiling took its place within the inter-cooperative organisation.
Veiling Hoogstraten celebrates its 75th anniversary. We start the celebration with the introduction of a new logo and an up-to-date corporate identity.
The year begins with sky-high energy prices and a financial crisis. Onr of the worst horticultural years ever. Nevertheless, Veiling Hoogstraten started a sustainable project just then: almost 2,000 solar panels produced 408,000 kWh in the first year.
After a turbulent year, the cultivation companies are getting back on their feet. Even better: Veiling Hoogstraten experienced the largest turnover growth in its existence to date (+31%). This year, more than 25 million kilos of strawberries were delivered, a record harvest! We organised the first International Strawberry Congress. It was an immediate hit with 300 participants from 22 countries!
As many as 30,000 tons of strawberries are sold. A large proportion of the strawberry growers from Veiling Profruco become direct members of Coöperatie Hoogstraten. In addition, investments are being made in the construction of a new vegetable warehouse (1.1 ha).
Coöperatie Hoogstraten obtains the Corporate Social Responsibility charter for the first time.
Innovation is key and so Coöperatie Hoogstraten starts selling cherries. The turnover of the auction exceeds 200 million euro that year.
In early 2016, Veiling Hoogstraten cv changed its name to Coöperatie Hoogstraten cv. The new name underscores the importance of mutual cooperation in an ever-changing business climate.
Introduction of WMS system (Warehouse Management). The ambition is to deliver in a more focused way and to be able to answer customer-specific questions.
In the spring of 2018, the block sale of strawberries will be introduced.
The strawberry growers of CLTV Zundert will become direct members of Coöperatie Hoogstraten. The LAVA digitisation project is also launched in 2019.
In 2020, Coöperatie Hoogstraten introduced a new mission and new values. More than ever, the cooperative wants to be a quality reference and an expert in fruit and vegetables. With the Hoogstraten, Home of Quality brand, Coöperatie Hoogstraten shows itself to be a reliable partner within the sector.
In the years to come, Coöperatie Hoogstraten cv will continue to focus on attracting experienced personnel (with special attention to disadvantaged groups), in-depth investments in infrastructure, direct communication with producers and customers and the further crystallisation of its own identity.
Coöperatie Hoogstraten is an important link between producer and customer in the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain. We provide a comprehensive range of services to both members and customers, with a central focus on product quality, freshness, and food safety. In addition to the actual sale of products, we develop and implement quality policies and manage communications. We also provide technical and logistical support, such as with the storage of strawberry plants, our bell pepper sorting installation, or the start-up of the cold chain.
A few entrepreneurs founded the company 'Katholieke Veilingsvereniging der Noorderkempen'. Among them: a brewer, two teachers, a trader, two fruit growers and a permanent representative.
During the war years, mainly coarse vegetables were cultivated, after which strawberry cultivation expanded rapidly. The cultivation did not suffice to completely curb the high unemployment rate in the region, but it did help to significantly increase the family income.
Lor van Nijen came to live in Hoogstraten a year after the founding of "de Veiling" and his parents ran a café behind the site of the Veiling. He has seen the company grow from the beginning.
"There was a period in 1944 when there was no Veiling Hoogstraten. Fortunately, after the war, everything started up again, in an upward trend."
Strawberry production rises to 3,000 tons in 1951, representing a remarkable 90% of the turnover. Our cooperative is followed: auctions are also established in Roeselare and Sint-Katelijne-Waver.
Professional growers make their entrance. Strawberries for the fresh market are still a success. Apart from that, it is mainly gherkins and strawberries for the industry that are ticked off the auction clock.
Paul Vanderhallen became one of the company managers at the age of 22. He was still a student at the time, but already came to work one day a week during his studies.
"Not a year went by without construction here. We used to be able to do that in the winter, because Veiling Hoogstraten was still very seasonal then."
The strawberries continued their advance. The first horticultural companies are now also growing vegetables under glass.
In 1977, Luc Verwerft, Jean-Pierre de Paepe, Theo Van Der Hallen, Wim Janssens and Gust Stoffels decided to set up the Hoogstraten Strawberry Ghesellen. Their aim: to promote the strawberries of the Hoogstraten region at home and abroad. They do this by being present at various events. From the very beginning, they have also been allowed to present the early strawberries to H.M. the King and H.M. the Queen and the Governor of the Province of Antwerp.
The horticultural sector embraces technological evolution. Thanks to the cooling of plant material, strawberries can now be harvested year-round. The refinement of cultivation techniques under glass is creating a 'vegetable boom'. Tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers top the charts.
Veiling Hoogstraten enters the 21st century. The cooling infrastructure has been optimized, and online trading is now also available. The cooperative has grown into a leading European player. The first financial year of the new millennium closes with a turnover of €84,284,000. The focus on quality and food safety has never been greater. That is why we are also fully committed to a high-performance track & trace system.
The horticultural sector embraces technological evolution. Thanks to the cooling of plant material, strawberries can now be harvested year-round. The refinement of cultivation techniques under glass is creating a 'vegetable boom'. Tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers top the charts.
The horticultural sector embraces technological evolution. Thanks to the cooling of plant material, strawberries can now be harvested year-round. The refinement of cultivation techniques under glass is creating a 'vegetable boom'. Tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers top the charts.
The year begins with sky-high energy prices and a financial crisis. Onr of the worst horticultural years ever. Nevertheless, Veiling Hoogstraten started a sustainable project just then: almost 2,000 solar panels produced 408,000 kWh in the first year.
After a turbulent year, the cultivation companies are getting back on their feet. Even better: Veiling Hoogstraten experienced the largest turnover growth in its existence to date (+31%). This year, more than 25 million kilos of strawberries were delivered, a record harvest! We organised the first International Strawberry Congress. It was an immediate hit with 300 participants from 22 countries!
As many as 30,000 tons of strawberries are sold. A large proportion of the strawberry growers from Veiling Profruco become direct members of Coöperatie Hoogstraten. In addition, investments are being made in the construction of a new vegetable warehouse (1.1 ha).
Coöperatie Hoogstraten obtains the Corporate Social Responsibility charter for the first time.
Innovation is key and so Coöperatie Hoogstraten starts selling cherries. The turnover of the auction exceeds 200 million euro that year.
In early 2016, Veiling Hoogstraten cv changed its name to Coöperatie Hoogstraten cv. The new name underscores the importance of mutual cooperation in an ever-changing business climate.
Introduction of WMS system (Warehouse Management). The ambition is to deliver in a more focused way and to be able to answer customer-specific questions.
In the spring of 2018, the block sale of strawberries will be introduced.
The strawberry growers of CLTV Zundert will become direct members of Coöperatie Hoogstraten. The LAVA digitisation project is also launched in 2019.
In 2020, Coöperatie Hoogstraten introduced a new mission and values. More than ever, the cooperative aims to be a quality reference and an expert in fruit and vegetables. With the Hoogstraten, Home of Quality brand, Coöperatie Hoogstraten demonstrates its commitment as a reliable partner within the sector.
In the coming years, Coöperatie Hoogstraten cv will continue to focus on attracting experienced personnel (with special attention to opportunity groups), in-depth investments in infrastructure, direct communication with producers and customers, and further crystallizing its own identity.
With our mission “Together shaping a sustainable future in fresh fruit and vegetables through craftsmanship and high-quality service”, Coöperatie Hoogstraten indicates that it wants to mean more than just an auction.
The core business naturally remains the commercialization of fresh fruit and vegetables for its producers, but customized service is becoming increasingly important. And Coöperatie Hoogstraten aims to excel in this. In the coming years, Coöperatie Hoogstraten will strongly focus on expertise in order to provide better information and optimized service to both its producers and its customers. This will be done within a sustainable framework, with attention to People, Planet, and Profit. After all, a healthy company has an eye for its employees, partners, and the planet. And we want to achieve this together. Cooperative working is in our genes and will always be our starting point for decisions.
More than ever, the cooperative wants to be a quality reference and an expert in fruit and vegetables. With the Hoogstraten, Home of Quality brand, Coöperatie Hoogstraten presents itself as a reliable partner within the sector.
Our identity is based on these 5 core values.
INTEGRITY
We are reliable
RELATED
We are constantly improving how we do things right
CONNECT
Together we are stronger
GROW
We are not standing still
HORIZON
We are constantly exploring.
Ensuring food safety starts at the source: the producer. Each grower cultivates their fruits and vegetables according to strict quality labels, where quality is a key component. For strawberries, this is Hoogstraten, and for vegetables, it's Flandria.
The cooperative, in turn, ensures that the delivered products are placed in the correct quality class and that their quality is maintained through optimal conditioning. Furthermore, Coöperatie Hoogstraten also strives for maximum food safety. Our achieved certificates guarantee this.
Hoogstraten inspects fruit and vegetables as soon as they arrive. But we also focus on their internal quality. For example, we continuously monitor the shelf life of the products supplied (at parcel level) by means of samples that we place in storage cells. We then circle the results back to the grower.
Annually, we analyze hundreds of residue samples through multi-screening. Additionally, tomato samples are analyzed as pre-harvest samples for ethefon. The delivered products are also checked for residues of crop protection products, and periodically for the presence of contaminants and microbiology. This research is conducted under the supervision of the Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Horticulture (KDT).
The Product & Quality department ensures the quality and food safety of our products. All our products meet strict quality labels, where quality is an important component. For strawberries, this is Hoogstraten, and for vegetables, it's Flandria. Furthermore, all our producers comply with the legal requirements for primary plant production and several additional specifications (production, sustainability, social practices). Compliance is externally audited at the production companies.
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We meticulously record relevant data about the cultivation, the producer, the plots, and the delivery. This allows us to trace the origin and treatment before harvesting for each product. If a problem does arise, the cause is quickly identified and eliminated. Traceability also works 'upstream'. After the sale, each purchase is administratively linked to a product supply. This allows us to trace back from the trade channel to a supply at the cooperative.
We guarantee quality.