Schouten Europe acquires Bobeldijk Food Group to expand plant-based production capacity

Dutch meat alternatives producer Schouten Europe has acquired fellow Dutch plant-based food manufacturer Bobeldijk Food Group, a move that the company said would expand its production capacity and reinforce its position in the European market for meat and fish alternatives.

• Schouten Europe acquired Bobeldijk Food Group to increase production capacity for plant-based meat and fish alternatives.
• The acquisition combined two Dutch companies with strong private-label businesses and a shared focus on innovation and product development.
• Schouten reported revenue growth of more than 30% last year despite stabilization across many plant-based food markets.

The acquisition brought together two established players in the European plant-based sector. Schouten, based in Giessen, has been active in meat alternatives since 1990 and supplies products to customers in more than 50 countries, primarily through private-label partnerships.

The company described the deal as part of its long-term growth strategy, aimed at supporting innovation, international expansion and organizational development under the leadership of the next generation of the Schouten family.

CEO Niek-Jan Schouten said the acquisition would help the company respond more effectively to changing market demands while continuing to invest in new product development.

“The market for plant-based products is developing rapidly. With the acquisition of Bobeldijk, we are not only increasing our production capacity, but also strengthening our flexibility and decisiveness towards customers. At the same time, this step gives us the opportunity to continue investing in innovation, something that has characterised our family business since 1893,” he said.

Schouten traces its roots back more than a century, but became known within the alternative protein sector after founder Henk Schouten began developing meat alternatives in 1990. The company said it now offers one of the industry's broadest product portfolios and has established itself as an early pioneer of the global plant-based meat category.

Bobeldijk Food Group, headquartered in Deventer, has built a presence in the European market through a focus on private-label manufacturing and product development. The company has developed expertise in producing plant-based products for retailers and foodservice customers across the region.

According to Schouten, Bobeldijk's capabilities made it a natural fit for the business. “Bobeldijk has extensive knowledge, experience and craftsmanship in the production and marketing of plant-based products, making it a strong addition to Schouten’s organization. Both companies share the same focus on quality, flexibility, innovation and long-term collaboration with customers and employees. This shared culture and commitment form a strong foundation for the future,” said Schouten.

The acquisition came at a time when parts of the plant-based sector have experienced slower growth following several years of rapid expansion. Despite that backdrop, Schouten reported strong commercial performance, stating that it achieved revenue growth of more than 30% last year.

The company indicated that the additional manufacturing capacity would help support future expansion while enabling continued investment in research and development.

Schouten also stated that the transaction would make it the largest family-owned company operating in the European meat alternatives market.

While financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, the company emphasized that the deal aligned with its broader ambition to support the transition toward more sustainable food production.

“Last year, we achieved revenue growth of more than 30%, while many sales markets are stabilizing. That gives us confidence for the future. We continue to invest in innovation and accelerating the protein transition. Not only because we believe in the growth opportunities of plant-based food, but above all because, as a family business, we want to contribute to a more sustainable and future-proof food system,” Schouten said.

The acquisition adds further consolidation to the European alternative protein sector as companies seek greater scale, manufacturing efficiency and product development capabilities amid increasingly competitive market conditions.

(Main photo shows CEO Niek-Jan Schouten (right) with his sister Rhodéand his brothers Peter (left) and Wouter)