Andelslag

An andelslag is a historical form of cooperative association used in the Netherlands and in Dutch-speaking parts of Belgium, typically among farmers and craftspeople. The name derives from andel, meaning share, and slag, indicating a kind or type. Members acquire shares, or andelen, which give them a stake in the cooperative and a say in its management. An andelslag generally owns facilities, processing capacity, or a distribution network that serves its members and, in some cases, customers.

The primary purpose of an andelslag is to improve members’ bargaining power, lower costs, and provide access to markets or services that would be difficult to obtain individually. Decisions are made by the member-owners through a general meeting, with a board of directors handling daily operations. Profits are distributed to members in proportion to their participation or use of the cooperative, often as patronage returns rather than as profits to external investors.

History and legacy: Andelslags emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as rural producer cooperatives aimed at stabilizing prices, securing market outlets, and sharing processing facilities. They were common in sectors such as dairy, eggs, grains, and fruit, and sometimes operated as consumer or craft cooperatives. Over time, many andelslags were reorganized, merged with larger cooperative structures, or dissolved as legal forms and market conditions evolved. Today, the term is primarily of historical interest, though some older or regionally preserved coops retain the andelslag label or its legacy in local cooperative practices.

See also: Cooperative, cooperative movement, agricultural cooperative.