News Potatoes
Clarebout ventures outside the world of fries
Clarebout Potatoes, the largest potato processor in Belgium, takes a minority stake in the Flemish family business Pomuni. This gives the company access to the market for fresh potatoes and potato products. According to their own statements, the companies aim to strengthen each other with this step.
It may not be surprising that both potato companies are seeking closer ties. Both have a presence in Flanders and Wallonia. Pomuni is located in Perwijs (Perwez), between Brussels and Namur. Clarebout is in Waasten (Warneton), southwest of Kortrijk. Both started as small family businesses and grew into internationally operating companies. Pomuni founder Jos Muyshondt started as a vegetable trader in 1928. Since the 1970s, the company has focused solely on potatoes, and after several takeovers, the name Pomuni was chosen in 2021.
No financial motive
According to a statement, the companies aim to 'strengthen' each other in the future with the minority stake Clarebout takes in the company. The specifics of what this actually means are not elaborated on. According to the Belgian business newspaper De Tijd, there are no financial considerations. Pomuni's financials look good. We are familiar with Clarebout's figures. In 2022, the revenue was €1.1 billion, and it also acquired competitor Mydibel.
Clarebout, primarily known as one of the world's largest producers of frozen fries, gains access to the market for fresh potato products and specialties in this way. Pomuni supplies fresh potatoes for the table market, salads, or fresh fries, as well as (frozen) mashed potatoes. Additionally, croquettes and hash browns are also produced. For this, it has its own factory in Ranst, near Antwerp, where it invested €16 million in 2017 for a renewal.
According to their own statements, Pomuni processes 50,000 tons of potatoes annually and has about 1,000 hectares of potatoes grown for the company, either by themselves or by others. Mainly in the Walloon region of Belgium.
Expansion
In addition to the acquisition of Mydibel in 2022, owner Jan Clarebout has more interests in his own country. In 2019, it became the main shareholder of machine manufacturer Dewulf. It is also known that the company's directors have acquired a lot of farmland and agricultural businesses in recent years.
