History

Today

At the beginning of 2016 Veiling Hoogstraten cv changes her name into Coöperatie Hoogstraten cv. The use of “coöperatie” in the name indicates a clear strategy aimed at pooling resources while leaving room for individual entrepreneurship, and underlines the importance of mutual collaboration in a constantly changing entrepreneurial environment. We are now positioning Hoogstraten as a corporate brand in the market, with Europe as its action radius. Every day, Coöperatie Hoogstraten cv translates the cooperative ideal into its key values: trust, expertise, passion, health and customer focus. These values are given shape in a new, fresh and contemporary house style.

Over the coming years Hoogstraten will continue to hire experienced personnel (with special attention for disadvantaged groups), in depth-investments in infrastructure, direct communication with producers and customers and the development of its own identity.

The auction house continues to aspire to a sustainable business management. We resolutely opt for a rational use of energy (residual heat, waste recovery, etc.).

2010
- The growers picked themselves up after an eventful year. Even better: Veiling Hoogstraten recorded the highest increase in turnover in its existence (+31%). In 2010, more than 25 million kilos of strawberries are supplied. A record!
- The first International Strawberry Congress is organised. A direct hit with 300 participants of 22 countries!
2009
- The year starts with sky high energy prices and a financial crisis. It is one of the worst horticultural years in living memory.
- But still the auction house launches a sustainable project that year: almost 2,000 solar panels generate 408,000 kWh the first year.
2008

Veiling Hoogstraten celebrates its 75th anniversary. We started the party with the launch of a new logo and an up-to-date house style.
2006

A long-standing co-operation between Veiling Profruco, CLTV Zundert and Veiling Hoogstraten is strengthened with the establishment of the inter-cooperative organisation In-Co.
2005

Veiling Hoogstraten launches the sale of specials, without use of the clock.
1990-2000
- Veiling Hoogstraten enters the 21st century. The cooling infrastructure is optimised and online trading is made possible.
- The cooperative has developed into a European top player. The first financial year of the new millennium is closed with a turnover of €84,284,000.
- The focus on quality and food safety has never been this big. A high performance track & trace system is introduced.
1980-90
- The horticulture sector embraces the technological evolution. Strawberries can now be harvested all year round.
- The refinement of growing techniques under glass causes a 'vegetable boom'. Tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are big hitters.
1970-80

The popularity of strawberries continues to rise. But they do have company now: the first horticultural companies start growing vegetables under glass too.
1960-1970

Professional growers appear. Strawberries for the fresh market are still a success. In addition, gherkins and strawberries for the food processing industry have become very popular.
1950-1960
- Strawberry production rose to 3000 tonnes in 1951. Strawberries accounted for as much as 90% of turnover.
- Cooperatives as a structure for sales produce are copied elsewhere. Auctions are established in Roeselare and Sint-Katelijne-Waver.
1940-1950
- During the war years mostly vegetables from large farms were grown in bulk.
- Strawberry cultivation expanded quickly soon afterwards. Although strawberry-growing did not offer a solution for large-scale unemployment, it did help families to increase their income.
1933: the very beginning

A number of entrepreneurs founded the ‘Katholieke Veilingsvereniging der Noorderkempen’ (Catholic Auction Association of the Northern Kempen). They included: a brewer, two teachers, a shopkeeper, two fruit growers and an MP.

Today

2010

2009

2008

2006

2005

1990-2000

1980-90

1970-80

1960-1970

1950-1960

1940-1950

1933: the very beginning