RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Sign in user
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • RetailDetail Plus
  • Events
  • Hunts
  • RetailHub
  • Advertising & Partnerships
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING
RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Sign in user
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • RetailDetail Plus
  • Events
  • Hunts
  • RetailHub
  • Advertising & Partnerships
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING
thumb
Written by Pauline Neerman
In this article
  • Companies Albert HeijnJumboLidlPicnic
  • Topics Supply chainSustainability
  • Geography Netherlands
Share article
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • email

Angry farmers wreak havoc at Dutch supermarkets

icon
Food4 July, 2022

(Update) Farmers’ protests are causing chaos in the Netherlands on Monday and Tuesday, not least among supermarket chains. Angry farmers block distribution centres all over the country.

Supermarkets are first targets

In the Netherlands, farmers are holding a large-scale protest action against government plans to reduce nitrogen emissions. According to cattle farmers, the measure would mean fewer cows for them to keep. Tractors were on the road early Monday morning blocking strategic locations. Their first targets: supermarket distribution centres.

Despite retailers stressing that they have nothing to do with the nitrogen policy, dozens of distribution centres are currently blocked all over the country. Moreover, farmers did not deliver fresh products such as fruit and vegetables. As a result, consumers will feel the consequences in the supermarkets as early as Monday, the Dutch national food trade office CBL warned according to news channel NOS.

Over half of all DCs cut off

Jumbo’s central DC and head office in Veghel was among the first to be affected. Although the police came to lift the blockade and issued fines, five out of six distribution centres are still blocked. At market leader Albert Heijn, two out of six distribution centres were still inoperable due to the protests by late afternoon.

At Lidl, access is denied to half of Dutch depots and competitor Aldi claims to suffer from blockades in two out eight warehouses. Somewhat ironically, at Vomar the staff blocked the farmers in a counter demonstration. They made sure that the tractors could not leave, even though the farmers laconically responded they had no intention of leaving anyway. As a result, the local grocer’s sole distribution centre remains completely cut off.

“Days of blockades” announced

Farmers declare that they will stay put until the nitrogen policy is reversed. They are already threatening to blockade for days.

On Tuesday afternoon however, the majority of the blockades appear to have been lifted, following intervention by the forces of order. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Aldi and Lidl, among others, can deliver to their stores again. However, in a few places the protest is still going on, such as at Boni in Nijkerk. In the supermarkets, the actions have led to empty shelves, especially in the fresh food departments. According to CBL, the damage runs into tens of millions of euros as a result of missed sales and spoilt fresh products in the distribution centres.

Stay up-to-date

Receive our free newsletters and do not miss out on the latest retail news.

Subscribe
logo

(Update) Farmers' protests are causing chaos in the Netherlands on Monday and Tuesday, not least among supermarket chains. Angry farmers block distribution centres all over the country.

More on Food
See more
  • icon
    Food5 June, 2023
    Ocado gets its new CCO from Tesco

    After a decade in managerial roles at Tesco, Amit Chitnis is moving to online challenger Ocado to become Chief Commercial Officer.

  • icon
    Food5 June, 2023
    “Jumbo will not exit Belgium”

    There is no question of Jumbo leaving Belgium, CEO Ton van Veen emphasises: sales in the Belgian stores are growing fast and candidate franchisees are coming forward.

  • icon
    Food2 June, 2023
    What’s Cooking? will not be acquiring Imperial Meat

    What's Cooking? (formerly Ter Beke) will not be buying Imperial Meat after all. The competition authority has raised objections to the deal.

Events
  • 15
    Jun
    Human Resources & People Congress
  • 29
    Jun
    Food Congress
Most read
  • icon
    Leisure16 May, 2023
    Decathlon launches subscription service in Belgium
  • icon
    General15 May, 2023
    Action launches Belgian webshop
  • icon
    Food30 May, 2023
    1,000 jobs at risk at Carrefour France?
  • icon
    Fashion23 May, 2023
    Zara goes secondhand, Massimo Dutti goes US
Follow RetailDetail
  • socialFacebook
  • socialTwitter
  • socialInstagram
  • sociallinkedIn
footer-logo
RetailDetail, the leading b2b-retailcommunity in the Benelux, keeps retail professionals up-to-date by means of online & offline publications, retail events, inspiring retail hunts and the unique co-creation platform retailhub, where retailers and their suppliers can experience the future of shopping.
RetailDetail Mailing Address:
Kolveniersstraat 7, bus 26 
2000 Antwerp
Visiting address:
Stadsfeestzaal – Meir 78 
2000 Antwerp
How to reach us:
Directions
© 2023 RetailDetail
general conditions | privacy policy
+32 3 500 89 59 info@retaildetail.be
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Accept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT