Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Fousert, what is the core competence of Avebe?

David Fousert: Royal Avebe is an agricultural cooperative. Our goal is to create the maximum value for our customers and farmers from the starch potatoes that our members grow for us. We have a product range of over 1,000 different products which are used in various application areas. These include the food industry, industrial sectors, as well as the health market and the feed sector. Our most important market is the food market in Europe, the USA, and Asia, with about 65% of our business volume allocated there.

Wirtschaftsforum: What trends and innovations are you currently focusing on in the food sector?

David Fousert: We are actively advancing our developments in the protein sector. Potato proteins are highly functional and very nutritious. They are already very close to the characteristics of animal proteins. Under the brand Solanic, we already distribute vegan dairy products, cheese, meat alternatives, and also gelatin substitutes for the confectionery sector. We see the food sector offering the best development prospects for Avebe in the coming years.

Wirtschaftsforum: Does the sustainability debate in politics and business give additional impetus to the business?

David Fousert: Products made from potato starch not only offer an alternative to animal products but also to synthetic and petrochemical products. Moreover, it is a very local product, which, compared to products from, for example, South America, brings opportunities for sustainability.

Wirtschaftsforum: What role do industrial applications of potato starch play for Avebe?

David Fousert: We see growing demand in various industrial markets that were previously accustomed to working with virtually unlimited amounts of chemical and petrochemical products. In the construction sector, the demand for sustainable solutions is an extremely important issue. Here too, we are developing very rapidly, both in Europe and in China. Another interesting area is the packaging industry. More and more shipments are being sent in cardboard boxes, which were previously always glued with adhesives from synthetic products. Here too, we can offer interesting alternatives.

Wirtschaftsforum: Where do you see Avebe in the market compared to competitors?

David Fousert: There are indeed other producers of potato starch. Globally, we are, as a cooperative of German and Dutch farmers, the largest provider of potato starch and potato proteins. Not only have we grown ourselves in recent years, we have also given our farmers growth impulses - through innovation. Our producers of plant-based products are, of course, in competition with conventional providers of wheat and grain products. Here we are still relatively small, but we see growth potential for us in the near future. Strategically, however, we focus on markets in which we can replace animal and synthetic products and proteins with our products.

Wirtschaftsforum: What topics do you have on your agenda for the rest of the year 2022?

David Fousert: First, we need to master the current crisis situation, with all that it entails. The energy issue is a particular challenge for us. We will soon invest in independence from gas and fossil fuels. We have already purchased E-boilers that get their power from wind turbines and solar parks. This is the direction we will be heading in the future. Fundamentally, the market will orient more towards plant-based products and proteins in the medium term. There are certainly great potentials here for us. In Germany, we focus on two growth areas in addition to our core activity of potato starch. These are, on the one hand, feed proteins for animal feed, and on the other hand, proteins for food. That is why we made a significant investment in our plant in Dallmin last year.

Wirtschaftsforum: What challenges do you see, apart from the geopolitical situation, for the near future?

David Fousert: A major challenge is the shortage of skilled workers, especially in the technical field. That's why we are heavily investing in technology and automation. However, to grow, we need qualified people, including young people, to whom we can offer an excellent development environment. Supply chains remain a challenge as well. They are still disrupted. There is a shortage of containers and packaging material. Rising prices and especially hyperinflation additionally complicate the situation and bring a lot of planning uncertainty.

Wirtschaftsforum: What vision do you pursue with Avebe?

David Fousert: We aim to evolve as a farmers' cooperative through innovations in nature. In doing so, we want to create values for our farmers, our employees, our customers, and our partners – for everyone involved. Growth through a combination of innovation and sustainability – that is our mission.