The beef cattle ranching and farming industry in Benelux is vital for agricultural productivity, contributing significantly to local economies. Companies in this sector range from large corporate farms to innovative technology startups. They produce high-quality beef while emphasizing sustainability and animal welfare. Recent trends show a growing demand for organic and ethically sourced products. With advancements in agricultural technology and changing consumer preferences, the industry is heading toward modernization and efficiency, focusing on sustainable practices and improving herd health to meet rising global food demands.


This list highlights ten notable investors in the beef cattle sector, representing various types including corporate, venture capital, and private equity firms, primarily based in the Netherlands and Belgium. Most of these investors were founded in the last two decades, with a focus on sustainability and agricultural advancements. In 2024, they collectively completed 31 investments, indicating a robust interest in enhancing cattle ranching and farming practices in the region. Ranging from small firms to corporate giants, these investors play crucial roles in shaping the future of this industry.


Top 10 Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming Investors in Benelux


1. Nutreco

  • Website: nutreco.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: nutreco

Nutreco is a corporate investor based in Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands, specializing in animal nutrition and aquaculture. Founded in 1994, the company focuses on providing innovative feed solutions aimed at enhancing productivity and supporting animal health. Nutreco serves farmers and feed producers with a commitment to sustainable practices to meet the growing global demand for food. Notably, Nutreco has made significant investments in the beef cattle sector, including the acquisition of Hi-Pro Feeds, a leading manufacturer of high-performance animal feed in North America, which supports beef cattle operations. Additionally, their acquisition of Bellman NutriƧao Animal Ltda., a Brazilian company specializing in farm minerals and supplements for ruminants, further solidifies their position in the beef cattle ranching and farming market. These strategic moves highlight Nutreco's dedication to improving livestock nutrition and health, making them a key player in the beef cattle industry.


2. Rockstart

  • Website: rockstart.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: rockstart

Rockstart is a startup accelerator and investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2011. The firm empowers early-stage founders in sectors such as AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Technology by providing investment, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help startups scale and succeed. In the context of beef cattle ranching and farming, Rockstart has been involved in transactions like MoooFarm, a dairytech startup that raised significant funding across multiple rounds, including a Series A round of $13 million in November 2022. This investment reflects Rockstart's commitment to supporting innovations in the agricultural sector, particularly those that can enhance livestock management and dairy production. Their focus on purpose-driven entrepreneurs aligns with the goals of improving agricultural practices and sustainability.


3. ForFarmers

  • Website: forfarmersgroup.eu
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Lochem, Gelderland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2007
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: forfarmers-b.v.

ForFarmers N.V. is an agricultural company based in Lochem, Gelderland, Netherlands, specializing in complete feed solutions for livestock farming, including beef cattle. Founded in 2007, the company has established itself as a key player in the agricultural supply chain across multiple European countries. ForFarmers focuses on sustainable practices and provides tailored advice and support to farmers, ensuring the health and productivity of their animals. In 2023, ForFarmers announced the acquisition of Piast Pasze Sp. z.o.o., which will enhance their feed activities by increasing their volume by 410,000 tonnes. This acquisition is pending approval from the Polish competition authority. Additionally, in 2024, they entered into an agreement to acquire Van Triest Veevoeders, a company that specializes in trading residual flows and co-products, further expanding their capabilities in the livestock feed market. These strategic acquisitions demonstrate ForFarmers' commitment to strengthening their position in the beef cattle ranching and farming sector.


4. Louis Dreyfus Company

  • Website: ldc.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1851
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: louis-dreyfus-company

Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. is a for-profit agricultural merchant and processor founded in 1851, headquartered in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands. The company operates across various sectors, including food processing, bioenergy, and transportation, ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply chain for agricultural products. In 2024, LDC has been involved in several notable transactions, including acquiring nearly 47.66% of Namoi Cotton, which, while primarily focused on cotton, reflects their investment strategy in agricultural commodities. They also participated in the Series A funding of Aquaconnect, a company that leverages technology for agricultural advancements, which could have implications for livestock management and efficiency. These transactions highlight LDC's commitment to the agricultural sector, making them a relevant player in the broader context of beef cattle ranching and farming.


5. Rabo Private Equity


Rabo Private Equity, founded in 2002 and based in Amsterdam, is a private equity firm that specializes in providing equity capital and investment management services primarily to established and transformative companies in the Food & Agri and Sustainability sectors. The firm leverages its global network and partners with top-tier funds to support the growth and transition efforts of its clients. Recent transactions include participation in funding rounds for companies like ViAqua Therapeutics and Trace Genomics, which, while not directly related to beef cattle ranching, indicate Rabo's active engagement in the agricultural technology space. Their investment in Kanters BV, although details are undisclosed, also reflects their commitment to the agricultural sector, which may encompass beef cattle ranching.


6. Triodos Bank

  • Website: triodos.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Driebergen-Rijsenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1980
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: triodos-bank

Triodos Bank N.V. is a public entity operating as an ethical bank focused on sustainable finance. Founded in 1980 and based in Driebergen-Rijsenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands, Triodos Bank offers services such as depository receipts, green bonds, and investment management, catering to individuals and businesses seeking to align their financial activities with ethical and sustainable practices. The bank operates in multiple European countries, promoting transparency and positive impact in the banking sector. Notably, Triodos Bank has been involved in several transactions relevant to the agricultural sector, including a $12 million Series A investment in Sistema.bio, which develops bio-gas equipment for small farms, enhancing their environmental sustainability. Additionally, they co-led a Series A funding round for CrowdFarming, which aims to improve logistics and help farms obtain organic certification, further supporting sustainable farming practices. These investments reflect Triodos Bank's commitment to fostering sustainable agriculture, which can include beef cattle ranching.


7. Edaphon

  • Website: edaphon.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: edaphon

Edaphon is an impact fund based in Brussels, Belgium, dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity. The firm collaborates with businesses and organizations to fund projects that enhance natural carbon sinks and support regenerative agriculture practices. In 2023, Edaphon participated in a Series A funding round for Soil Capital Belgium, which focuses on sustainable agricultural practices. They also invested in CropX Technologies, which develops agronomic farm management systems that can improve farming efficiency and sustainability. Additionally, Edaphon was involved in the Series B funding for Groundwork BioAg, a company that likely contributes to sustainable agricultural practices. Their recent investment in BioPrime AgriSolutions further emphasizes their commitment to supporting innovative agricultural solutions. Through these transactions, Edaphon demonstrates a clear interest in enhancing agricultural practices that could positively impact the beef cattle ranching sector.


8. Anterra Capital

  • Website: anterracapital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: anterra-capital

Anterra Capital is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in agrifood technology investments, focusing on startups that leverage biotechnology and digital solutions to enhance food production and sustainability. Anterra Capital operates primarily in North America and Europe, supporting innovative companies in the agrifood sector. Notable transactions include their participation in BiomEdit's Series A funding, which is linked to animal nutrition, and their involvement in ProducePay, a company that focuses on the fresh produce supply chain. While ProducePay is not directly related to beef cattle, its focus on reducing food waste and improving supply chain efficiency can have implications for the broader agricultural landscape, including beef production.


9. Royal De Heus


Royal De Heus, founded in 1911 and based in Ede, Gelderland, Netherlands, is a corporate investor specializing in animal nutrition. The company provides a wide range of products, including compound feed, premixes, and concentrates, aimed at improving animal health and farm productivity. They serve various sectors, including livestock and aquaculture, and offer expert advice and research services. A notable transaction involved the acquisition of Masan Group's feed business in Vietnam, which included 13 feed mills and one premix plant, significantly expanding their production capacity. This acquisition aligns with their strategy to enhance their presence in the animal nutrition market, which is essential for supporting beef cattle ranching and farming operations.


10. Prosus Group

  • Website: prosus.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: prosus-group

Prosus Group is a global technology investor and operator based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2019. The firm focuses on enhancing everyday life through technology across various sectors, including online classifieds, food delivery, payments, and education technology. In the agricultural sector, Prosus has made significant investments in companies like Vegrow, which raised $46 million in Series C funding to expand its agtech solutions, and FarmLogs, a farm management software company that secured $22 million in Series C funding. Additionally, Prosus led a $15 million Series B funding round for Biome Makers, which focuses on sustainable farming practices. These transactions highlight Prosus's commitment to fostering innovation in agriculture, making them a relevant player in the beef cattle ranching and farming context.



Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
NutrecoAmersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands10001+19941
RockstartAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50201116
ForFarmersLochem, Gelderland, Netherlands1001-500020071
Louis Dreyfus CompanyRotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands10001+18515
Rabo Private EquityAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020023
Triodos BankDriebergen-Rijsenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands1001-500019802
EdaphonBrussels, Brussels, Belgium1-102
Anterra CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020139
Royal De HeusEde, Gelderland, Netherlands5001-1000019110
Prosus GroupAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands10001+201921


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