Limburg Caviar Farm Draws Fire Over 438M Litre Water Use

Environmental organizations in Belgium have formally filed objections against plans for a new caviar farm in Kinrooi, Limburg, that would consume approximately 438 million litres of groundwater annually — equivalent to the yearly water needs of nearly 12,000 residents. The Limburgse Milieukoepel (Limburg Environmental Coalition), representing over 50 local nature and environmental groups, argues that using such vast quantities of a precious resource for a luxury product is environmentally irresponsible at a time when drought and water scarcity are intensifying.

The Proposal

Royal Belgian Caviar (Joosen-Luyckx Aqua Bio), Belgium’s only caviar producer and one of Europe’s earliest, has submitted a permit application to expand its operations with a new facility on the Agropolis business park in Kinrooi. According to VRT NWS, the farm would draw water from deep groundwater layers at approximately 50 metres depth, using over 1 million litres per day. The total water volume in all basins combined is approximately 12 million litres, with 10% refreshed daily.

The company already operates a facility in Turnhout and has built a reputation among international chefs since launching in 2002. The new facility would create approximately 8 jobs in the rural Limburg region.

Environmental Concerns

Dylan Elen, spokesperson for the Limburgse Milieukoepel, told VRT NWS: “Now that drought and water scarcity are occurring more frequently, the question is whether it is responsible to pump so much water from the deep subsurface for a luxury product like caviar.”

The environmental coalition warned that deep groundwater layers, which are also used for drinking water production, recharge extremely slowly. “It takes years for surface water to penetrate that deep into the ground,” Elen explained. “So the problems will only become visible years from now.”

In a statement on its website, the coalition posed a pointed question: “While farmers will soon see their incomes dry up, the happy few enjoy caviar on a toast during a reception. Is that the intention?”

The Company’s Position

CEO Mario Volders defended the project, noting that 94% of the water used by Belgian Caviar is already recycled through recirculating aquaculture systems. “But that last part is very difficult to purify,” he said. The remaining 6% must be replaced with fresh water to prevent mineral and salt buildup that would harm the sturgeon.

The company investigated reverse osmosis as an alternative but found it too expensive and detrimental to fish health. Treated wastewater would be discharged into the Witbeek stream. The Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) noted in its advisory that while the discharge does not cause immediate deterioration, it contributes to existing failures to meet European water quality objectives.

Broader Context

This dispute unfolds against a backdrop of growing pressure on Limburg’s deep groundwater reserves. Hydrologist Patrick Willems of KU Leuven, quoted in related VRT NWS coverage, warned: “If you extract too much water from those deep groundwater layers, that situation can only recover 10 years later.”

Since the dry summers of 2017-2020, farmers have increasingly applied for permits to drill deep groundwater wells — a trend previously limited to large industrial companies. The Limburgse Milieukoepel has been tracking this development with concern, noting that climate change will further depress groundwater levels in the coming decades.

What’s Next

The province of Limburg must make a decision on the permit application by June 10, 2026. The case is being closely watched as a potential precedent for how Belgium balances agricultural and industrial water use against drinking water security and environmental protection. The environmental coalition has indicated it is not opposed to the company’s presence per se, but is calling for measures to recover a portion of the water used.

“We are not against the arrival of the company per se,” Elen said, “but we ask that part of the water be recovered.”

The outcome will signal whether Belgium’s regulatory framework can adequately address the long-term cumulative impacts of deep groundwater extraction in an era of increasing water scarcity.