NOFOTA stands for the Netherlands Oils, Fats and Oilseeds Trade Association, the Dutch trade association representing companies involved in the production and trade of oils, fats and oilseeds. It develops standard contracts for international trade, as set out in the NOFOTA Trading Rules (latest version: 2025). In addition, NOFOTA provides a mechanism for resolving commercial disputes through its arbitration system. NOFOTA is comparable to FOSFA International (Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations Ltd.) in London and GROFOR in Hamburg.
The annual membership fee is €600.00 (excluding VAT) for A-members (kindred organisations), B-members (producers, traders and brokers) and C-members (organisations providing services related to the production and trade of these commodities, such as storage companies, laboratories and inspection companies).
Apart from the Trading Rules, the Rules for Arbitration and the Annual Report (available to members only), the Association does not publish any other documents. Under the Association’s rules, the membership list, which is included in the Annual Report, is not available to non-members. Nor does NOFOTA publish a directory of buyers or suppliers.
Membership runs from January to December each year. Members wishing to terminate their membership must notify the Association in writing before 1 October.
The Annual General Meeting and Dinner are held in April each year and are exclusively for members. The annual Golf Tournament takes place in May or June, while the Trading Rules Seminar is held in the Autumn.
New members must be introduced on the recommendation of three existing members. Once the completed and signed application form has been received, the application is submitted to the NOFOTA Council for final approval.