Plukon acquires Vega Insiders to expand alternative protein capabilities

Plukon Food Group has acquired the operations of Vega Insiders, a Dutch producer of vegan and vegetarian products, in a move that significantly strengthens its position in the alternative protein market. Announced on 2 June 2025, the deal gives Plukon access to a state-of-the-art plant-based production facility and an experienced team with a strong track record in developing meat-free products for retail, foodservice, and QSR clients.

Based in Udenhout, Vega Insiders will continue to operate under its own name as part of the Plukon Food Group. The company is known for its broad portfolio of fresh and frozen plant-based foods and was previously part of the Zilverwerf Group. All employees will remain in place following the transition.

“This acquisition fits perfectly within our strategy,” said Kees Kraijenoord, CEO of Plukon Food Group. “Plukon has been working on alternative protein concepts for years. With this deal, we’re strengthening both our product diversity and our capacity for innovation in complementary proteins.”

Plukon, traditionally one of Europe’s largest poultry processors, has been gradually diversifying its offering to include more plant-based options. The acquisition of Vega Insiders marks a milestone in that strategy by giving Plukon its first fully dedicated vegan production site – a move the company sees as key to scaling its operations in a completely plant-based environment.

“We are proud to welcome Vega Insiders into the Plukon family,” said Kraijenoord. “We’ve long wanted to have a dedicated vegan production location, and with this acquisition, that ambition becomes a reality.”

For Mart Beniers, Founder, Vega Insiders, the sale is about securing the company’s long-term future. “After years of building Vega Insiders, I was looking for a sustainable home for the business,” he said. “In Plukon, I found a partner with the same mentality: entrepreneurial, realistic, and deeply familiar with the market. There was an immediate click, and that gives me confidence that Vega Insiders is in good hands.”

The deal also underscores a broader trend among legacy meat companies moving into the plant-based space through acquisition rather than internal development. By integrating Vega Insiders’ expertise and infrastructure, Plukon can accelerate its plant-based product innovation and respond more nimbly to shifting consumer preferences.

No financial details of the transaction were disclosed.