NLENFR

Het Zilverleen

Het Zilverleen is an organic vegetable farm owned by the supermarket chain Colruyt Group. As a result of the takeover Colruyt Group is anchoring the local supply of organic vegetables for its own supermarket chain by means of an innovative and sustainable cooperation model with the organic farmer.

In 2018, Colruyt Group purchased ‘Het Zilverleen’ organic farm with 25 hectares of agricultural land. Through the takeover Colruyt Group wishes to guarantee local supply of organic vegetables for its supermarkets. The farm supplies the organic harvest directly and exclusively to the supermarket chain. This not only allows demand-based cultivation, depending on the specific needs of Colruyt and Bio-Planet customers, but also demand-driven cultivation: a broader range of organic vegetables encourages consumers to eat more seasonal produce. Therefore, Colruyt Group is focusing on making its supply chain more sustainable. By purchasing the organic farm, which already sold 70% of its produce to Colruyt Group before the takeover, the latter is able to ensure the farm continues to be managed organically. Meanwhile, a new organic farmer has started work at Het Zilverleen. He is leasing the agricultural land and the farm from Colruyt. In exchange for surrendering a certain degree of autonomy – after all, the Zilverleen farmer is dependent on the prices set by Colruyt Group – he can count on a guaranteed buyer. The farmer and Colruyt Group jointly determine the cultivation plan.
Colruyt Group’s purchase of Het Zilverleen makes it the first retailer in Belgium to own land to guarantee its supply. After the frozen food industry and the meat and dairy sector, the retail sector is clearly striving for greater integration in the chain, a trend that was also adopted by Carrefour in France. Retailers can play a key role in the transition to more organic farming despite the fact that the further erosion of the farmer’s autonomy makes the debate extremely sensitive.

theme
food
innovative aspects
financing
scale
district, street, region, site, municipality, building


Colruyt finds new organic farmer for organic farm Het Zilverleen
articleColruyt finds new organic farmer for organic farm Het Zilverleen
Colruyt Group and manager Niels Trybou are working together to constructively develop a workable model. Both parties are embarking on the experiment on an equal footing.


Colruyt finds new organic farmer for organic farm Het Zilverleen


photo: Biomijnnatuur, 2019

Colruyt group wants to actively acquire 
to acquire and exploit agricultural land
articleColruyt group wants to actively acquire to acquire and exploit agricultural land
Colruyt Group has been seeking cooperation with the agricultural and horticultural sectors for some time now. By setting up an operating company, Colruyt Group wants to continue to exploit its existing agricultural land, including Zilverleen, and acquire new agricultural land.


Colruyt group wants to actively acquire 
to acquire and exploit agricultural land


photo: Vilt, 2020

Colruyt from the lowest price to the most expensive 
soil
articleColruyt from the lowest price to the most expensive soil
After the frozen food industry, the pig sector and potato production, the retail sector is now also investing in further market integration. Despite improved sales security and risk sharing, a number of parties are questioning the individual farmer’s loss of autonomy.


Colruyt from the lowest price to the most expensive 
soil


photo: Apache, 2018

Agricultural land increasingly in demand for 
agro-industrials
articleAgricultural land increasingly in demand for agro-industrials
The idea that our farmland is in the hands of the family farmer is increasingly becoming an outdated perception. Colruyt is certainly not the only new player in the market for agricultural land.


Agricultural land increasingly in demand for 
agro-industrials


photo: Vilt, 2021

Colruyt van de laagste prijs naar de duurste 
grond
articleColruyt van de laagste prijs naar de duurste grond
The purchase of agricultural land by wealthy actors is driving up land prices. ‘Land is becoming unaffordable for the average farmer', writes Wervel member Luc Vankrunkelsven.


Colruyt van de laagste prijs naar de duurste 
grond


photo: MO, 2020

Context biofarm Het Zilverleen
imageContext biofarm Het Zilverleen
In 2018, the Colruyt Group took over Het Zilverleen from its former owners. Het Zilverleen, an organic farm with 25 hectares of contiguous farmland, is the first farm owned by the country's largest retail player.


Context biofarm Het Zilverleen


photo: Vilt, Alveringem 2019