Tholen – Last Saturday evening, as usual, the Belgapom party evening took place prior to the Interpom potato fair. Exhibitors and guests were welcomed this evening in the large hall of the Kortrijk XPO exhibition complex. The evening was officially opened by chairman Ben Muyshondt, who took the opportunity to look back on the potato season. “No potato year is the same. As potato people, we quickly agree on this. 2024 was no exception. Shortage of seed potatoes, a wet spring, followed by a reasonable summer and autumn, which meant that most potatoes could still be grown in an orderly manner. are dug up and stored.”
Opening by Ben Muyshondt
“We are in a hesitant free market situation, but five months ago many still thought we were heading for a catastrophe, but as is often the case in potato country, the soup is not eaten as hot as it is served,” says Muyshondt. “Not so long ago, the growth spurt of the Belgian potato industry made it necessary to promote ‘Belgian fries’ all over the world with the federation. In the meantime, priorities have changed somewhat and the focus is more on chain operations, sustainable cultivation and regulations.”
Stephan Delmeire van Binst, Francis Binst, Stijn de Pourcj and Jugen Duthoo of Warnez, Frederik Decock van Binst, Christophe Vermeulen of Belgapom and Kurt de Nijs of Warnez
“We are receiving more and more press coverage. Sometimes in a very good way, sometimes in a negative way for our sector. Fortunately, our sector deals with this in a professional manner, measured and businesslike if possible and passionate and driven if necessary. I am convinced that positive proactive sector communication can help us in the near future to inform both public opinion and policymakers about the Belgian potato sector. The coming years will be crucial in this regard,” Ben emphasized.
“We can be proud of a fair like Interpom, which is unique in the potato country. The mayonnaise catches the eye and does so a little more with each edition. Two years ago we passed the milestone of 20,000 visitors for the first time. What other proof do we have? necessary to prove that we have struck gold with our product,” Muyshondt concluded.
Noémi van Bogaert van Belgapom, Frederik Bernard, Nele Muyshondt, Marie Louise Desmedt, Ben Muyshondt all from Pomuni and Christophe Vermeulen van Belgapom.
CEO Christophe Vermeulen of Belgapom was also enthusiastic. “I am facing my third Interpom edition. If you think about it for a moment, it is almost mind-blowing what has happened in the last four years. But from a helicopter view we work with one major goal in mind: guaranteeing the sustainable existence of Our sector. That is our future story and we will continue to tell it with great persistence wherever we can. Our sector is too important, economically, socially and even culturally, to be presented with a fait accompli.”
The Interpom is open on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 November from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Be sure to pick up a trade fair magazine from AGF-Primeur at stand 335. A photo report of the exhibitors can be found on this site in Wednesday’s edition.
Click here to view the photo report
Photographer: Andries Gunter
