Officials seek talks with Ardo owner over plant closure

Ardo is sticking to plans to close its frozen-vegetable plant in Groß-Enzersdorf, in Gänserndorf district, while Lower Austrian representatives seek talks with the Belgian owner family, ORF reported. Discussions with the company broke down on Wednesday.

Lorenz Mayr, vice-president of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, said the company had shown “zero understanding” of proposals to keep the plant running. A letter has been sent to the owners, with representatives hoping to secure one or two more years of production while the future of Austria’s frozen-vegetable supply is addressed.

Mayr said the plant produces more than 80 percent of Austria’s frozen vegetables. Alternatives are being examined, but he said replacement capacity could not be found quickly or in the same volume. The closure would affect about 500 farming families and hundreds of employees.

A second, much smaller frozen-vegetable company in Groß-Enzersdorf is also looking at ways to contribute to a solution. It cannot make up for Ardo’s full output, and industry experts say expanding its capacity would take time, potentially leaving many vegetable growers without a timely alternative.

Mayr said the situation raised broader questions about supply security and the resilience of Austria’s food chain. Officials are at an early stage of considering options, he said, and the aim is to continue supplying the country with Austrian frozen vegetables.