Binst history
The origin of Binst Breeding & Selection brings us back to 1887, when Johannes Franciscus Binst, a farmer, delivers his first potatoes in a wheelbarrow. Quite the expedition because he’s led to deliver the potatoes from Grimbergen to Brussels, about 40 km on foot! Soon, the company will become a major trading company for the import and export of ware potatoes.
In 1920, Pieter Binst founded a company that, in addition to potatoes for consumption, also focused on the trade of seed potatoes. This seed was then mainly imported from the Netherlands and distributed to farmers and wholesalers. The combination of trade in seed potato and trade in ware potato generates many contacts.
The reputation of Binst is growing and people start trading around the world. During the Interbellum period, around 1938, his sons Francis and Charel Binst set up their own potato production business and deliver export markets. After the Second World War, Binst supplies potatoes to the US Army in Germany. In 1957, Binst was allowed to deliver potatoes for shipment to the South Pole with special insulation packaging.
In 1976, two separate cooperating companies were created by the two sons of Frans Binst: Jean-Pierre and Didier Binst. Jean-Pierre lead the company "Binst Handelsmaatschappij" for the trade in ware potatoes. Didier was director of the company "Binst Breeding & Selection" which focussed on the multiplication of seed potatoes and quickly increased in importance. The newspaper “La Dernière Heure” mentions in its edition of February 11th, 1976 the company Binst by "The emperor of the potato". Thanks to the company Binst, Belgium discovered the delicious variety Charlotte in the 80’s.
When Didier Binst suddenly passed away in 2016, his son Francis Binst takes over. Binst Breeding & Selection remains the oldest and most important seed potato company in Belgium. Binst is proud to be called "Centennial"!
