Dutch potato products brand CêlaVíta will not restart; factory to be dismantled

The bankrupt potato products brand CêlaVíta will not be restarting, curator Frans Aartsen announced on Tuesday. According to him, candidates withdrew due to “the size and complexity of the production facility.” The complicated ownership structure of the factory also made a restart difficult.

Aartsen will now consult with stakeholders to determine the next steps, with plans to dismantle the factory in Wezep, Gelderland. Production at the site halted last month when the company filed for bankruptcy, and dismissal has been requested for all 171 employees.

Around ten potential buyers had initially expressed interest in taking over the company. However, the land, buildings, and machinery are owned by a separate company from the bankrupt CêlaVíta Foods BV, further complicating any potential sale.

CêlaVíta was declared bankrupt on August 13, 2025, after facing rising costs, disappointing financial results, and debt totaling approximately 22 million euros. An internal memo indicated that a combination of retail price pressure and rising expenses, with little hope of improvement, contributed to the company’s collapse.

All 171 employees received their dismissal letters on August 18. The Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) will cover their salaries through the six-week notice period.