Hansegarnelen AG: Insolvency in Grevesmühlen - what for the employees?

Hansegarnelen AG: Insolvency in Grevesmühlen - what for the employees?

The aquaculture industry in Germany faces new challenges: Hansegarnelen AG, based in Glückstadt, has filed for bankruptcy. This was announced on June 30, 2023 by the management and is the result of a "unexpected funding gap" that the company has brought in a critical situation. Hansegarnelen operates aquacultures at three locations, including Grevesmühlen, where the breeding system was not opened until 2020. Ten employees are employed in the entire company, three of whom work in Grevesmühlen. Despite the bankruptcy, business operations at all locations will continue to be continued "unchanged and fully", so that services can continue to be provided and orders can be processed. The wages and salaries of the employees are secured through the bankruptcy money for the next few months, which at least temporarily gives employees some security. CEO Rupert Baur has initiated a judicial renovation procedure in order to maintain the company's ability to act. Berend Böhme, a Bremen lawyer, was appointed as a provisional insolvency administrator.

The fact that Hansegarnelen has come into economic difficulties is not the first case in the region. In January 2024, the shrimp farm in Anklam had to close its gates. In addition, the production of Cara Royal in Grevesmühlen has been quiet since the country granted support over 750,000 euros. Aquaculture in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has already mastered many challenges, so that the current news does not seem to be completely out of air. According to Ostsee-zeitung.de The first companies that are struggling with such problems in the region.

investments and future prospects

Hansegarnelen has put a lot of money in the development of its locations in recent years, especially in the breeding system in Glückstadt, Europe's largest circulatory system for shrimp breeding. Up to 85 tons of shrimps are to grow up there every year. The company has positioned itself as a "pioneer in the climate -friendly aquaculture" with the claim to ensure sustainability and high quality in production without the use of antibiotics. The rearing is almost climate -neutral, which makes the location particularly attractive for retail and luxury catering. This shows that despite the current difficulties, there is the potential for a positive development if the financial hurdles can be overcome. This innovative strength is important, because the German aquaculture sector is described overall as stagnating, which is due to unfavorable framework conditions and inadequate research, as bmel.de.

The Hansegarnelen AG could therefore be faced with a crucial turn. On July 3, 2023, Rupert Baur plans to inform about the current status of the renovation process and further steps. If the right measures are taken, the company might not only survive its crisis, but also emerge from it. The future will show whether Hansegarnelen can actually become a positive example of aquaculture in the region.