Ardo rejects rescue offer as politicians seek future for plant

Ardo’s planned closure of its frozen-food plant in Groß-Enzersdorf appears set to go ahead, but politicians are seeking options for affected farmers and workers. ORF reported that Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig wants to create a future for everyone from growers to consumers.

Totschnig called it “very disappointing” that Ardo, a supplier to Iglo, had rejected offers of support and a possible takeover of the plant. The company said after a meeting with politicians last week that it would maintain its closure decision. Totschnig said the federal government, the Lower Austrian government, farmers and other stakeholders should work together on a solution. Options for financial aid to vegetable growers are also being examined.

Ardo said the Groß-Enzersdorf operation had made average annual losses of five million euros since 2023, despite the company investing about 50 million euros in the plant since taking it over in 2008. Totschnig disputed the figures, saying the government had a different assessment. Ardo Austria Frost’s 2024/25 accounts, covering the year to the end of June, show revenue of 80.5 million euros and a profit of 1.8 million euros, while accumulated balance-sheet losses exceeded 23 million euros.

Lower Austrian Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, her deputy Stephan Pernkopf, Totschnig and the deputy president of the province’s Chamber of Agriculture, Lorenz Mayr, accused Ardo of rejecting support on what they called “spurious grounds.” They said they would continue working to secure a future for frozen vegetables from the Marchfeld, a region whose farmers grow vegetables for the plant. Pernkopf said Ardo’s official accounts showed a positive result and criticised the company for being willing to repay millions of euros in subsidies rather than keep the factory open for another year.

Markus Wieser, president of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Labour and head of the province’s trade union federation, called for a united response. After meeting Ardo employees in Groß-Enzersdorf on Monday, he said new activity should be established to protect security of supply and keep key infrastructure, industry and food production under domestic control.

The closure is planned for the end of August 2027. It would affect 190 employees, for whom a social plan is being prepared, as well as 50 agency workers. Ardo said it processed produce from about 270 farmers in Lower Austria in 2025. The plant makes frozen products for Iglo and the own-label ranges of Billa, Hofer and Spar.