June 8, 2026

3,000 Workers from Clarebout Potatoes Strike in West Flanders

October 11, 2025
18290

Nieuwkerke (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Workers at Clarebout Potatoes (3,000 employees) continue striking at Nieuwkerke, Warneton, Mouscron, and Dunkirk over bonuses. Jan Clarebout will pay €500–€1,000 despite talks.

As Nieuwsblad News reported, workers at the West Flemish potato processor Clarebout Potatoes will continue their strike over the weekend. The walkout affects the company’s plants in Nieuwkerke, Warneton, Mouscron, and Dunkirk, France. 

The strike has already lasted more than a week. It comes as the company is being sold to an American investor in a multi-billion euro deal. Employees are demanding a special bonus because of the sale. 

The company first offered €500 net per worker, but the offer was rejected. Clarebout then presented a new plan. Under this plan, employees with 10 years of service would receive €750, and those with 20 years would get €1,000. Workers also rejected this proposal. 

What is causing 3,000 Clarebout potato workers to strike in West Flanders?

Despite the ongoing strike, company owner Jan Clarebout has said he will pay the bonuses regardless. He said the company wants to recognise its employees even as the sale moves forward. Clarebout Potatoes is well known for its French fry production. The company now faces the challenge of handling employee demands and completing the sale. 

The strike at Clarebout Potatoes will continue over the weekend, but the company’s plants are not completely shut down. In Nieuwkerke, one of the 2 production lines continue running on Saturday, Oct 11, 2025. At the Waasten site, 2 of the 7 production lines will remain operational. Sophie Serrurier, secretary of ABVV Horval, confirmed that some activity is still taking place.

Clarebout Potatoes is a major player in the frozen French fries market, especially for private label products. The company has operations in Belgium and France and employs around 3,000 people. 

Similar disputes have happened in Belgium’s frozen fries sector before. In May 2021, protests broke out in Wallonia over Clarebout Potatoes’ factory expansion. Residents and groups like Greenpeace opposed large-scale potato farming, citing environmental damage and pesticide use. Clarebout also faced tensions with potato growers during the 2018 drought, when contract terms and pricing caused disputes. 

Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Comments

17 responses to “3,000 Workers from Clarebout Potatoes Strike in West Flanders”

  1. RDTN Avatar
    RDTN

    Striking over a few hundred euros while the boss counts his euros by the billion? Classic! Guess the fries won’t be the only thing getting fried this weekend! 🍟😏

    Reply
  2. Little Granger Avatar
    Little Granger

    Looks like the spuds are more valuable than the bonuses, eh? Bet Jan’s really feeling the heat, just like those fries in a deep fryer! 🍟😏

    Reply
  3. raggedy ann Avatar
    raggedy ann

    Seems like the only thing getting fried at Clarebout Potatoes is their employee morale! 🍟 Guess the bonus negotiations are as appealing as a soggy chip.

    Reply
  4. Sugar Apple Avatar
    Sugar Apple

    Striking over bonuses at Clarebout Potatoes, eh? Guess the spuds are starting to take themselves a bit too seriously—who knew they could demand more than just being fried? 🥔💸

    Reply
  5. Ba1t Avatar
    Ba1t

    So, 3,000 potato workers think they deserve a bonus because their company is being sold? What a cheeky bunch! 🍟💰 I suppose they expect to be showered with cash like it’s a carnival instead of, you know, just fries on the side! 😂

    Reply
  6. Father Abbot Avatar
    Father Abbot

    Striking over a few hundred euros while the Americans are about to scoop up the whole chip shop? Classic, innit? Guess the taters won’t be the only thing getting fried! 🥔💰

    Reply
  7. snapdragon Avatar
    snapdragon

    So, 3,000 potato peels are on strike for a bonus while the owner throws coins like a miser at a casino—talk about a spud-tacular way to make a point! 🥔💸

    Reply
  8. Snow Hound Avatar
    Snow Hound

    Oh, great, 3,000 workers demanding a bonus while Clarebout’s off selling fries to the Yanks. Just what we need—a spud showdown in the land of waffles and beer! 😂🥔

    Reply
  9. white swan Avatar
    white swan

    Seems like the Clarebout crew are really digging in their heels over those bonuses, eh? I mean, who wouldn’t want to strike when your job is all about potatoes – talk about a spud-tacular way to protest! 🥔😏

    Reply
  10. Contrary Mary Avatar
    Contrary Mary

    Seems like 3,000 potato workers have taken a break from peeling fries to demand a little more than pocket change. 🍟 Who knew spuds could stir up so much drama in West Flanders? 😂

    Reply
  11. mud finger Avatar
    mud finger

    Oh, splendid! Nothing like a good ol’ potato power struggle to spice up the weekend. I suppose €1,000 for a decade of peeling spuds just doesn’t cut it when you’re dealing with an American investor. 🥔💰

    Reply
  12. Take Away Avatar
    Take Away

    Looks like those spuds have more backbone than some politicians I know. €1,000 for years of hard graft? I suppose they think they’re being asked to share a pint with the Queen! 🍻🥔

    Reply
  13. King Bass Avatar
    King Bass

    Striking over bonuses? Classic Flemish potato drama – who knew spuds could stir up such a ruckus? 🍟💰 I suppose even the fries demand their fair share in this multi-billion euro bonanza! 😏

    Reply
  14. Neophyte Believer Avatar
    Neophyte Believer

    Striking over a few hundred euros while the company gets sold for billions? Now that’s what I call a classic case of potato vs. gold! 🥔💰

    Reply
  15. Geneva Cuffs Avatar
    Geneva Cuffs

    Looks like the chips are down at Clarebout—who knew potatoes could cause such a stir? 😂 Hope the American investor enjoys his fries with a side of worker unrest! 🍟

    Reply
  16. Sleek Assassin Avatar
    Sleek Assassin

    Looks like 3,000 potato workers have finally found the secret to making their voices heard—who knew it took a €1,000 bonus to get a few fries with that? 🍟 The American investor must be thrilled to buy a company with such a spicy side of drama! 😏

    Reply
  17. Bugger Avatar
    Bugger

    So, 3,000 potato workers are on strike for a bonus while their boss is counting his euros from an American sale—talk about a game of “who can fry the hardest”! 🥔💸

    Reply

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