A group of members that sell to Dutch wholesalers via Coforta Verkoop BV in the Netherland have announced their intention to end their membership with horticultural group Coforta Cooperative, effective on 1 January 2012.

The growers, who produce a range of fresh produce including bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and aubergines, represent eight per cent of Coforta Cooperative's total membership, the group revealed, with a collective estimated turnover of €216m for 2011.

"The management board, management and supervisory board of the Cooperative regret their leaving," the group said in a statement. "The departure of this group of growers did not come as a surprise; the Cooperative had already anticipated that some growers would leave if they could not agree to the rules laid down in the New Collaborative Model established by the member's council."

Growers associated with Coforta Cooperative have an annual option to terminate their membership, with the group explaining that the decision by the growers to leave had been taken after a 'long and intensive process of consultation and coordination' between growers, the management board and supervisory board - a process that failed to bring about an agreement.

Despite the loss, Coforta Cooperative that with approximately 900 members across all categories, it would continue to supply 'sufficient volumes' to fresh produce marketer The Greenery.

"The commercial position of and product availability within sales organisation The Greenery will remain unchanged," the cooperative added. "The Greenery, through its growers, will continue to be able to provide large volumes of greenhouse vegetables, soft fruits, mushrooms, field and import products all year round."

Dutch horticultural cooperative The Greenery UA officially changed its name to Coforta early last year as part of a major initiative designed to distinguish it from trading company The Greenery BV, highlighting the separate positioning given to the cooperative and, in particular, a new commercial configuration aimed at attracting market-oriented growers.

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