Marc Smets elected Chairman of Belgian cooperative BelOrta

BELGIUM – Members of Belgium’s BelOrta have elected a new Board of Directors during the cooperative’s general meeting, with their first move being the election of Marc Smets as the new chairman, succeeding the outgoing Dirk Bertels.

Marc Smets, a seasoned tomato grower from Sint-Katelijne-Waver, has been deeply involved with BelOrta for years.

He joined the Board of Directors of the Mechelen Auctions in 2004 and became part of BelOrta’s board in 2013.

His experience extends to being chairman of the Tomato Product Advisory Group and serving on several boards associated with the Belgian auction sector.

“I am honored to take on this role and continue our work to support Belgian growers,” Smets said following his election.

Supporting Smets in his new role will be three vice-chairmen: Peter Aarts, Danny Raskin, and Karel Bosschaerts. Aarts, a cucumber grower in Asten, the Netherlands, has been a board member since 2022.

He also chairs the Cucumber Product Advisory Group and the Growers’ Advisory Group for Autumn Cultivation of Tomato.

Raskin, a fruit grower in Romershoven-Hoeselt, has a long history with BelOrta. He has been on the Board of Directors of Veiling Borgloon since 1983 and has served as vice-chairman of BelOrta since 2014. He also chairs the Top Fruit Product Advisory Group, a position reaffirmed in 2018.

Bosschaerts, who grows a variety of open field and greenhouse vegetables in Putte, became a BelOrta board member in 2021. He also chairs several Product and Grower Advisory Groups.

BelOrta experienced significant growth in 2023, partly due to the integration of the BFV auction. The cooperative reported a global product turnover of €583 million, a testament to its strong performance.

This growth has not only expanded BelOrta’s market presence but also provided substantial benefits to its affiliated growers.

During the General Meeting, it was confirmed that resources would be allocated to ensure a significant cooperative return in 2024.

The aim is to “continue reducing costs for our loyal fruit and vegetable growers without sacrificing service and commercial strength,” a spokesperson for BelOrta stated.

In addition to the leadership changes, BelOrta has announced the arrival of the first domestically grown blueberries, completing its full berry offering for the season.

Blueberries have become the most popular berry in Belgium, and the cooperative has also introduced new varieties of blackberries that are sweeter and more accessible to the public.

“The introduction of these new berry varieties reflects our commitment to meeting consumer demand and supporting our growers,” said a BelOrta representative.

BelOrta is a well-known Belgian cooperative, recognized for its extensive range of fresh produce. The cooperative’s growth and innovation highlight its significant role in the agricultural sector.

With Smets at the helm and a strong team of vice-chairmen, BelOrta is poised to continue its trajectory of success, supporting growers and meeting consumer needs.

As Smets steps into his new role, he looks forward to continuing the cooperative’s mission of supporting Belgian agriculture. “Our focus remains on delivering quality produce while ensuring our growers receive the best possible support,” he emphasized.

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