No Restart for Dutch Potato Processor CêlaVíta — Factory to Be Dismantled and Auctioned Off

Dutch potato processor CêlaVíta, once a well-known supplier of chilled potato products to supermarkets and foodservice, will not resume operations following its bankruptcy. The court-appointed trustee has confirmed that all attempts at a restart have failed. The production site in Wezep, Gelderland, will be dismantled and auctioned off later this year.

Earlier this year, PotatoPro reported on the bankruptcy filing of CêlaVíta, followed by a second article covering initial hopes for a restart. This new development confirms that those hopes have now been definitively abandoned.

Background: From Market Leader to Bankruptcy

CêlaVíta was founded in 1967 as a regional potato processor specializing in fresh, ready-to-cook potato products. Over the decades, it became a household name in the Netherlands for chilled potato cubes, wedges, and pre-cooked specialties.

In 2012, the company was acquired by McCain Foods, the Canadian frozen potato giant, which sought to expand into the fresh convenience segment. However, after years of underperformance and rising production costs, McCain sold the business to investment firm Nimbus in 2023. Under Nimbus ownership, CêlaVíta operated as CêlaVíta B.V., continuing to supply Dutch retailers and foodservice operators, but financial pressures soon mounted.

The company filed for bankruptcy in August 2025, ending decades of potato processing in Wezep. Around 170 employees and more than 100 contracted growers were affected. Initially, there was optimism that one of several interested investors could take over operations. According to the trustee, around ten parties came forward, but none followed through, mainly due to the complex structure of the company and the capital-intensive nature of its production facilities.

Failed Restart: Ownership and Structural Challenges

Reports in Dutch media (NOS, NU.nl, Nieuwe Oogst) suggest that ownership complications were a major barrier. CêlaVíta did not own the factory buildings or land, which made acquisition difficult. In addition, the site’s size and technical layout — including washing, peeling, and pasteurizing lines — required significant investment to restart, something potential buyers ultimately deemed unviable.

Frans Aartsen, Court-Appointed Trustee for CêlaVíta:

“Despite serious interest from multiple parties, the complexity of the company’s structure and the scale of the factory made a restart impossible. There simply wasn’t a feasible plan to continue operations under current conditions.”

Investigative business outlets also pointed to a separation of property and operating entities before bankruptcy. One report indicated that the factory was transferred to a real estate subsidiary (“PropVita”) for a symbolic price, effectively removing the land and buildings from the bankruptcy estate. This structure, previously linked to Nimbus, raised questions among labor unions about whether valuable assets had been shielded from creditors.

Impact on Employees and Growers

Following the trustee’s confirmation that no restart will occur, all 171 employees have been laid off. Trade unions CNV and FNV are assisting staff in claiming outstanding wages, vacation days, and unemployment benefits.

Gerard van der Steen, CNV Trade Union Representative:

“For the employees this is a bitter end. Many had been with CêlaVíta for decades and had hoped for a restart. They now face uncertainty, even though they kept the company running until the very last day.”

The shutdown also hits contracted growers hard. Several potato farmers told local media they now face thousands of tons of unsold potatoes, since their delivery contracts with CêlaVíta are no longer valid. For the region around Wezep, where CêlaVíta was a major employer, the closure represents a significant economic setback.

Next Steps: Dismantling and Auction

With no buyer stepping forward, the trustee announced that the factory will be stripped of its production equipment and sold at auction. The facility is expected to be emptied before the end of the year, as lease agreements expire. Proceeds from the sale of machinery and remaining assets will go toward paying creditors, though a substantial portion of claims is expected to remain unpaid due to the limited value of the estate.

Analysis: A Symbol of Sector Pressures

The fall of CêlaVíta underscores the growing financial pressure on Europe’s chilled potato sector, where high energy and raw-material costs collide with tight retail pricing. Despite strong consumer demand for convenient potato products, production costs, energy consumption, and labor shortages have made operations increasingly challenging — especially for standalone processors without the scale or vertical integration of larger multinationals.

CêlaVíta at a Glance

Conclusion

The bankruptcy and dismantling of CêlaVíta mark the end of one of the Netherlands’ best-known names in chilled potato processing. Once a symbol of innovation and convenience in the Dutch potato sector, the company now serves as a cautionary tale of how complex ownership structures and economic headwinds can end decades of success. As dismantling proceeds, the focus turns to the auction process — and to how the loss of CêlaVíta will reshape the country’s potato supply chain.