Members / seed potato growers of HZPC can expand their share in the cooperative more cheaply. There is still a wide range of certificates from HZPC, which can be acquired at an increasingly lower price. In addition, HZPC buys certificates and then donates them to members / growers. In 2017, the price of such a certificate was still 200 euros. With a rate of 106.35 euros, this has almost halved. For the stayers a stroke of luck, for the stoppers this means a loss.
The supply of HZPC certificates has fallen slightly, but is still large. This became clear during the half-yearly trading day of potato breeder HZPC Holding BV. The price of the certificate of share has been set at 106.35 euros. This means a decrease in the value of the HZPC certificate compared to November 2020 by the maximum 10 percent in accordance with the exhibition model used by HZPC.
47 percent drop in value
This lower price means a further fall in the price of the HZPC certificate of share. In November 2020, the price was set at EUR 118.15 during the semi-annual trading day. In 2017, the value of a certificate was 200 euros, which is at the highest level. This means that the value fell by 93.65 euros in 3.5 years. A decrease of almost 47 percent.
There is still a wide range of certificates. This is mainly due to non-active members / growers who wish to sell their certificates. For them, this persistent fall in prices is a financial nuisance. It is now easier and more financially attractive for active growers to purchase certificates. Gerard Backx, CEO of HZPC Holding emphasizes that it is important to consider that a large part of the certificates are in the hands of growers who are still fully active themselves. “That way they are co-owners of HZPC.”
Free transfer
To give an extra boost to the transfer of certificates from non-active to active growers, HZPC has started the Connecting Growers program this year. HZPC itself purchases certificates and then donates them to its active growers. To be eligible, growers can apply for the program. They can also purchase certificates themselves. According to Gerard Backx, many growers are satisfied with the program: “Many growers participate. This means that many HZPC growers in the European Union will be certificate holders this year. ”
HZPC distributes the certificates based on the number of hectares of seed potatoes that a grower grows. For the next trade fair day, HZPC will donate the certificates to its active growers. A lower price is also financially interesting for HZPC.
Without growers, no HZPC
This year, to encourage the transfer of certificates from inactive to active growers, HZPC started the Connecting Growers program. In this context, HZPC buys certificates and then offers them to its active growers. Growers can apply for the program in order to become eligible; they can also buy certificates themselves.
According to Gerard Backx, many growers are pleased with the program: ‘Many of our growers are participating. This means that many HZPC growers in the European Union will be certificate holders this year.’ HZPC divides the certificates on the basis of the number of hectares of seed potatoes that a grower cultivates. Before next trading day, HZPC donates the certificates to its active growers.
