Avebe started out as ‘Coöperatief Aardappelmeel Verkoop Bureau.” Much has changed over the last century, but one thing remains the same: potatoes. In 1919, we started representing several independent cooperatives.
1930 was a tough year. The potato starch industry was suffering. An unusually productive harvest led to a saturated global market and a general economic slump hurting workers and their families. With the help of a government loan, Avebe pulled through.
In 1948, the affiliated factories introduced new products: starch derivatives. In 1954, KARNA (Cultivation Institute for Potato Varieties for the benefit of the Dutch Potato Starch Industry) was founded by the joint potato starch factories. The goal? Cultivate varieties with a high yield that are also disease resistant.
In 1971, the factories and sales office merged. Thanks to the takeover of KSH in 1978 (Koninklijke Scholten Honig), Avebe increased its share of the potato starch market and gained control over premium derivatives, new markets, and the associated sales organisation.
Thanks to a restructuring effort (in which all the Avebe stakeholders contributed), Avebe roared into greater success. The cooperation faced its challenges, but we look back at these years of progress and innovation with pride.
We focus our efforts on three things: potatoes, cost price, and targeted innovation.
The laser focus paid off in 2007, with a breakthrough in the extraction of protein from potatoes. What was first only reserved for animal feed was now usable for human nutrition in a product we call Solanic. Our first Solanic protein factory opened in Gasselternijveen.
The European subsidies decoupled and the industry had to deal without its funding. Avebe was successful in doing so and closed out that year with a positive cooperative result of more than 11 million euros.
Avebe opens a new location: The Innovation Center in Groningen. This is where we share and combine forces internally and with local knowledge institutes like universities.
After a century of getting the most one can get out of the potato, we’ve received the Royal Warrant and can proudly call ourselves Royal Avebe. We’ve fully embraced our position and success and eagerly share it with the world.
Want to learn more about us or get in touch? Contact us!
