Schouten Buys Fellow Dutch Plant-Based Meat Player to Expand Europe Footprint

Dutch plant protein player Schouten Europe has acquired Bobeldijk Food Group, which makes a wide range of meat and seafood alternatives.

In yet another instance of consolidation in the alternative protein sector, Dutch pioneer Schouten Europe has snapped up local player Bobeldijk Food Group for an undisclosed sum.

A family-owned company dating back to the 19th century, Schouten Europe has been selling meat alternatives for over 35 years. Thanks to the acquisition, it is now strengthening its position in the European plant-based meat and seafood market by increasing its capacity and product portfolio.

“This step gives us the opportunity to continue investing in innovation, something that has characterised our family business since 1893,” said Schouten CEO Niek-Jan Schouten.

Schouten to build on Bobeldijk’s ‘solid position’ in plant-based market

Both Bobeldijk and Schouten have been selling proteins for decades. The former began as a butchery in 1965, before foraying into the plant-based sector as a private-label manufacturer in 2010.

As interest in vegan alternatives grew alongside its production expertise, it secured an increasing number of international private-label clients in the years that followed, while also supplying plant proteins under its Vegafit brand.

This culminated in Bobeldijk’s decision to give up its meat business altogether, and the company has been exclusively producing meat-free foods since 2020.

The same year, the Deventer-based company was sold to fish processor Kennemervis Groep, itself owned by dairy major Hoogwegt Group. Then, in late 2024, its ownership was transferred to Bracamonte, the investment vehicle of the Hoogwegt family.

Now, Bobeldijk is changing hands yet again, this time to a fully meat-free manufacturer. Schouten is one of the most well-established companies in the meat alternatives space, producing and supplying products, mainly under private labels, for companies in over 50 countries.

In a press release, Schouten hailed Bobeldijk’s “solid position” within the European market for meat alternatives. “Bobeldijk has extensive knowledge, experience and craftsmanship in the production and marketing of plant-based products, making it a strong addition to Schouten’s organisation,” said Schouten.

“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,” he added.

Schouten’s plant-based meat sales grew by over 30% in 2025

The acquisition makes Schouten the largest family-owned plant-based meat business in Europe and aligns with the growth strategy advocated by the new generation of the family, which is strongly focused on innovation and international expansion.

“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,” said Schouten.

Volume sales of plant-based meat fell in four of Europe’s six largest markets in 2025, with only France (+17%) and Italy (+4%) registering growth, thanks in large part to falling prices of these alternatives. That contrasted with the 3.3% rise in overall sales of vegan food in these countries.

However, Schouten was an outlier. “Last year, we achieved revenue growth of more than 30%, while many sales markets are stabilising. That gives us confidence for the future,” its CEO revealed.

“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.”

Its takeover of Bobeldijk reflects the wider alternative protein category, where more than 75 companies have been acquired or bought out, merged, fallen into insolvency, or shut down since September 2024, according to Green Queen’s analysis.

This year alone, in the meat-free category, Italy’s Unconventional, Spain’s Bosque Foods, Sweden’s Färsodlarna, and Canada’s Yves Veggie Cuisine have all changed hands. In the Netherlands, SoFine Foods was acquired by The New Originals Company and Vega Insiders by Plukon Food Group in 2025, just as JBS’s Vivera bought The Vegetarian Butcher brand from Unilever.