WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao-based food producer Lovers has become the subject of legal scrutiny following an attempt to have the company declared bankrupt. The petition was filed by wholesaler Vanddis, which claims Lovers owes more than 3.4 million dollars. The court, however, rejected the request, after which Vanddis decided to appeal the ruling.
Vanddis argues that the outstanding debt justifies bankruptcy proceedings, a claim that Lovers strongly disputes. The company maintains that the alleged debt is contested and that its financial position remains sound.
The dispute unfolds against the backdrop of an internal family conflict within Lovers Industrial Corporation, a company that has been active since 1948. Lovers is a well-known name in Curaçao’s food industry, producing fruit juices and dairy products that are exported to Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, and Florida. The company also supplies major supermarket chains on the island and plays a significant role in the local economy.
In its decision, the court ruled that bankruptcy was not warranted and pointed to alternative solutions, such as a payment arrangement or the possible sale of shares, to resolve the conflict. The judge emphasized that the company remains viable and that insolvency proceedings would be disproportionate under the circumstances.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Lovers has confirmed that its operations and production continue as normal. The company stated that it is actively working to resolve the dispute with Vanddis and stressed that consumers will not be affected by the situation.
The appeal filed by Vanddis means the case is not yet concluded. In the coming weeks, Lovers says it will continue efforts to reach a solution that brings the conflict to an end while safeguarding the continuity of the business.