Employees of Löwensenf are about to travel to Düsseldorf.

In a significant shift for the city's culinary landscape, Löwensenf GmbH, the mustard production company behind the popular brands Löwensenf and ABB-Mostert, has announced plans to relocate its production site in Düsseldorf after the lease for the current premises expires in 2026.

The Kieshecker Weg facility, which has been in operation since 1965, is where over 6,000 tons of mustard are produced annually for these beloved brands. The closure of the site does not necessarily mean the end of mustard production for Löwensenf, as the company has assured that the mustard recipe will remain unchanged, and the brand will continue production at another plant.

The decision to relocate was announced by Stefan Durach, CEO of Develey Senf & Feinkost, the Bavarian company that acquired Löwensenf in 2001. Durach informed the 54 employees, consisting of 40 production staff and 14 administrative personnel, of the impending closure on Tuesday, February 18.

Despite the closure, efforts will be made to ensure the welfare of the employees in Düsseldorf. Löwensenf GmbH has pledged to offer a socially acceptable solution at the new location for the affected staff.

The mustard produced at the Düsseldorf facility is made according to the purity law, using only natural ingredients, and has long been closely associated with the state capital. The closure may mark the end of the mustard tradition in the city, but the mustard production tradition may not necessarily end with the closure of the Kieshecker Weg facility.

It is important to note that Develey, the parent company, operates multiple production sites, and it has not yet specified which of its other facilities will take over the production of Löwensenf mustard.

The mustard production tradition in Düsseldorf, which dates back to 1918, has been a significant part of the city's identity. The lease for the premises expires in 2026, and while the mustard tradition may end in its current location, it may continue at another site or under a different name.

This news has sparked a sense of nostalgia among locals, who have grown up with Löwensenf mustard as a staple in their homes. However, the company's assurance of maintaining the recipe and continuing production ensures that the beloved brand will live on.