Slovak processor offers possible outlet for Marchfeld farmers

A Slovak frozen-vegetable producer has expressed interest in processing produce from the Marchfeld, offering a possible alternative after Ardo announced plans to close its plant in Groß-Enzersdorf. ORF reported that Equus has spare production capacity.

Equus processes vegetables including peas, sweetcorn, carrots and puréed spinach. Board member Tomas Jamriska told Ö1’s Mittagsjournal that the company was informed last week by Slovakia’s agriculture ministry of Austrian farmers’ interest in a cooperation. Austria’s agriculture ministry had previously contacted its Slovak counterpart.

Equus’s plant in Vinica, in southern Slovakia, is about 200 kilometres from the Marchfeld. Robert Kriegl, head of the ETG growers’ group, called any emerging possibility a “good option” but said it would need careful examination. Efforts to find a production solution in Austria are continuing, while Lower Austria and the federal government are discussing support and investment funding.

Talks on a social plan for Ardo’s 190 employees are due to resume on Friday. The PRO-GE and GPA trade unions have called a protest and solidarity rally outside the Groß-Enzersdorf plant on Monday. Ardo said it wanted to resume negotiations to give employees clarity as soon as possible. The plant’s works council chair has said figures for possible social plan payments mentioned by management had not been negotiated with or approved by the council.

Ardo announced in September that it planned to close the plant at the end of August 2027. The site produces frozen vegetables for brands including Iglo and the own-label ranges of Billa, Hofer and Spar. The closure would also affect 50 agency workers. Ardo said it processed produce from about 270 farmers in Lower Austria in 2025; the ETG has 500 member farms.