Lower Austria parliament seeks alternatives to Ardo plant closure

Lower Austria’s state parliament called for solutions after the announced closure of Ardo’s frozen-vegetable factory in Groß-Enzersdorf, which affects about 240 employees and 500 farming businesses. The debate on Thursday produced no concrete plan, ORF reported.

Representatives from the ÖVP, FPÖ and SPÖ called an urgent debate on the closure’s economic effects and ways to maintain vegetable processing in the Marchfeld. The factory is due to close on a phased schedule.

The FPÖ said farmers supplied Ardo with about 40,000 tonnes of vegetables worth 18.5 million euros last year. Many had invested in machinery and infrastructure and depended on having a buyer for their produce.

ÖVP representatives said talks were under way with various parties about potential operators for a frozen-vegetable factory. The FPÖ also cited discussions between Groß-Enzersdorf vegetable company Schneider’s Gemüseland and food retailers, and named processor efko as a possible partner. Another option raised was the former Agrana site in Leopoldsdorf im Marchfeld, where sugar production ended in 2025. No agreements were announced.

Green Party group leader Helga Krismer said the state government lacked a clear strategy and called for concrete answers. The Greens have proposed a cooperative involving about 500 vegetable businesses and rebuilding at the existing location. NEOS leader Indra Collini called for a backup plan involving the state, farmers and potential investors, and suggested temporary start-up funding.

The SPÖ called for cross-party cooperation and demanded a fair social plan and a job foundation to help affected workers find new career opportunities.

Lawmakers also disagreed over the reasons for the factory’s closure and the wider business climate. The FPÖ cited high energy and labour costs and bureaucracy, and called for cheaper energy and relief for businesses. The SPÖ rejected the claim that conditions for businesses in Lower Austria were generally poor.