Royal Van Namen

Dutch import-export firm Royal Van Namen, one of Europe's oldest fresh produce companies, has officially declared itself bankrupt.

The company has gone into administration and has ceased trading with immediate effect, according to chief executive Chris-Jan Rijnhout.

Royal Van Namen was set up 136 years ago, making it one of the first fresh produce companies to be established in the Netherlands.

It sourced a range of fruit and vegetables from several different countries, distributing the products to markets around the world.

At the end of 2007, the group established European Produce Marketing Company (EPMC), which focused on serving the retail trade.

In October 2008, EPMC launched a new consumer-oriented concept centred around the ideas of enjoyment, education and health, in order to develop new markets for fresh produce.