Handel

The trade in animal and vegetable oils and fats and their derivatives is based on standard contracts, where a number of logistical partners have a role to play in the chain alongside the agents. These partners are transport firms, inspection companies, tank storage companies and laboratories.

All goods trading contracts are based on the Incoterms.  The professional associations in our oils and fats market use several specific contracts derived from these.  They regulate all the terms and conditions such as weight and quality, delivery period and payment, along with clauses concerning matters such as force majeure and arbitration. Specifically, the English FOSFA contracts are used in overseas trade. Supplies in the Netherlands are made under NOFOTA and in Germany under GROFOR. In Belgium, we use VBO contract no. 7 (by the Association of Belgian Oil Manufacturers), since our professional association UCOGRAS does not have contracts of its own.