Distribution centres of supermarket chains were blocked all over the country last weekend, with activist farmers occupying the DCs of Albert Heijn in Zaandam, Aldi in Groenlo, Jumbo in Veghel and Lidl in Heerenveen, among others. The farmers are demanding that the mass retailers pay a higher purchase price.
Last Sunday, some 30 tractors marched to Zaandam to block the entrance of the Albert Heijn DC, while in Groenlo, several hundred farmers occupied Aldi's distribution centre, an action organised by the Farmers Defence Force. The dc's main entrance was blocked for several hours, after which the farmers left again. At Jumbo in Veghel, where some 60 farmers took unannounced action, top executive Frits van Eerd stopped by briefly to talk to the farmers.
Nitrogen policy and low purchase prices
The protests focused on the government's nitrogen policy, but also on the low purchase prices of supermarket chains. The nitrogen measures are pushing farmers into extra costs and these costs should be compensated by supermarket chains, according to the activists. "The money has to come from somewhere," a livestock farmer told Brabants Dagblad.
Albert Heijn: 'Our influence is minor'
Commenting on the protest in Zaandam, Albert Heijn says it can do little for the protesting farmers. "We understand the concerns of Dutch farmers. But we cannot solve the problems of all farmers in the Netherlands." The company's impact on the income of Dutch farmers is small, the supermarket chain told Nu.nl. "If only because a large part of the products are exported. We work with a relatively small group of farmers in the Netherlands."
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