The free range chicken farms industry in Benelux focuses on raising chickens with access to outdoor spaces, promoting animal welfare and sustainable farming practices. Companies in this sector range from small family-owned farms to larger agribusinesses, all committed to providing high-quality, humane poultry products. With consumer demands shifting toward ethical sourcing, many companies are adopting innovative techniques to enhance production while minimizing environmental impact. The industry is projected to expand further as more growers and investors recognize the importance of transparency and sustainability in food sourcing. This evolution highlights both the economic potential and societal benefits of free range farming.


The investors in this list feature a mix of corporate and venture capital firms, predominantly located in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium. They vary in size, from small teams to large organizations, and were founded between 1958 and 2018. In 2024, these investors engaged in a notable number of deals, with the European Investment Bank leading the chart at 99 transactions. These firms each aim to support productive, sustainable agricultural practices, especially those relating to free range poultry. Their engagement reflects a growing interest in ensuring the health and welfare of farming ecosystems.


Top 10 Free Range Chicken Farms Investors in Benelux


1. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg that provides financial services such as loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services to support sustainable projects across various sectors. Founded in 1958, the EIB aims to promote growth and job creation through its funding initiatives. In recent years, the EIB has been involved in several transactions relevant to the poultry industry, including a €40 million investment in In Ovo, a Dutch company dedicated to stopping the culling of male chicks in the egg industry. This funding is intended to help In Ovo expand its operations and focus on hatching female chicks exclusively. Additionally, the EIB provided €40 million to Devenish Nutrition, an agri-technology company, to support research and development in animal nutrition, which is crucial for sustainable poultry farming. These transactions highlight the EIB's engagement in projects that align with the principles of free range chicken farming and animal welfare.


2. Astanor

  • Website: astanor.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: astanor-venture

Astanor is an impact investment firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2017, that specializes in the agrifood tech sector. They are dedicated to supporting innovative companies that strive to create sustainable food systems through strategic guidance and investment. Astanor has been involved in several notable transactions, including investments in companies like Smallhold, which focuses on decentralized mushroom farming, and Umiami, a foodtech company that has raised significant funding to develop plant-based food products. Additionally, they have invested in Infarm, a startup that is expanding its global farming network with vertical farming solutions. While these companies do not specifically focus on free range chicken farming, Astanor's commitment to sustainable agriculture aligns with the principles of free range farming, making them a potential investor in this space.


3. Incofin Investment Management


Incofin Investment Management is an impact investment firm based in Antwerp, Belgium, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in financing and supporting organizations in emerging markets, with a strong emphasis on promoting financial inclusion and sustainable development. They provide a variety of services, including equity investments, debt financing, and technical assistance. Incofin's clients primarily consist of development funds and financial institutions that aim to create a positive social impact through their investments. Notably, Incofin has been involved in several transactions relevant to the agricultural sector, including a significant investment in Sahyadri Farms, which raised $45.9 million in Series B funding to expand its operations, including warehousing and processing facilities. Additionally, they provided debt financing to Couvoir Amar, which suggests a focus on poultry-related activities. These transactions highlight Incofin's commitment to supporting agricultural initiatives, potentially including free range chicken farming.


4. 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 involvement with La Fourche, which raised significant funding in 2024 and 2023, indicating a commitment to advancing sustainable food systems. Although their transactions do not explicitly mention free range chicken farms, their focus on agrifood technology aligns with the principles of sustainable poultry farming, making them a potential investor in this area.


5. Rabo Ventures


Rabo Ventures, founded in 2002 and based in Utrecht, Netherlands, is a venture capital firm that specializes in providing equity capital to established and transformative companies, particularly in the Food & Agri and Sustainability sectors. The firm aims to support major transitions that positively impact society and the environment through strategic partnerships and investment management. Notable transactions include a minority stake acquisition in Hendrix Genetics, a company focused on breeding, which is relevant to animal health and nutrition in the poultry sector. Additionally, Rabo Ventures has been involved in funding initiatives for companies like Kingfish Zeeland and The Kingfish Company, indicating their active role in supporting growth within the food industry. While these transactions do not directly pertain to free range chicken farms, they reflect Rabo Ventures' commitment to the agricultural sector, which includes poultry farming.


6. Hendrix Genetics


Hendrix Genetics is a corporate investor based in Boxmeer, North Brabant, Netherlands, specializing in animal breeding solutions across various species, including poultry, swine, and fish. Founded in 1991, the company has established itself as a leader in providing high-quality breeding programs that help farmers and producers enhance productivity and meet the growing global demand for animal protein. Notably, Hendrix Genetics has made significant acquisitions in the poultry sector, including Joice and Hill Poultry Ltd. in 2010, which was integrated into its poultry distribution division, and Euribrid, Nutreco's animal breeding activity, in 2007. These transactions highlight their strategic focus on expanding their poultry operations and improving breeding practices, which are essential for sustainable free range chicken farming.


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. In 2023, Edaphon participated in the Series C funding round for CropX Technologies, which focuses on agronomic farm management systems, indicating an interest in innovative agricultural technologies. Additionally, they were involved in the Series A funding for Soil Capital Belgium, which emphasizes sustainable farming practices. These transactions reflect Edaphon's commitment to supporting initiatives that align with sustainable agriculture, making them a potential investor in the free range chicken farms sector.


8. 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. 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 aims to merge their feed activities and increase their volume by 410,000 tonnes, pending approval from the Polish competition authority. This acquisition, along with their earlier acquisition of Tasomix in 2018, highlights their strategy to enhance their feed offerings, which is essential for supporting free range chicken farms and other livestock operations.


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 enhancing animal health and farm productivity. They serve various sectors within livestock and aquaculture, offering expert advice and research services. Notably, Royal De Heus has made significant acquisitions to expand its market presence, including the acquisition of Masan Group's feed business in Vietnam, which encompasses 13 feed mills and a premix plant, and Nutrex KZN (Pty) Ltd. in South Africa, a feed company. These transactions reflect their commitment to enhancing agricultural potential and supporting livestock operations, which may include free range chicken farms as part of their broader focus on animal nutrition.


10. Agrifi

  • Website: agrifi.eu
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Lievegem, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: agrifi

Agrifi is a not-for-profit impact investment facility based in Lievegem, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2018. The organization focuses on providing medium to long-term financing and technical assistance to private sector enterprises within the agri-food value chain. Agrifi aims to enhance the productivity and sustainability of smallholder farmers and agricultural SMEs through financial resources and expert guidance. Notably, Agrifi has been involved in transactions such as providing $1.5 million to Kentaste, an organic coconut processor in Kenya, and leading a $3.7 million funding round for Shamba Pride, an agtech firm focused on improving farm input distribution. While these transactions do not directly relate to free range chicken farms, Agrifi's overarching goal of supporting agricultural enterprises suggests a potential interest in diverse agricultural investments, including poultry.



Free Range Chicken Farms Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
AstanorLuxembourg11-50201710
Incofin Investment ManagementAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20020099
Anterra CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020139
Rabo VenturesUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands1-1020024
Hendrix GeneticsBoxmeer, North Brabant, Netherlands1001-500019910
EdaphonBrussels, Brussels, Belgium1-102
ForFarmersLochem, Gelderland, Netherlands1001-500020071
Royal De HeusEde, Gelderland, Netherlands5001-1000019110
AgrifiLievegem, Flanders, Belgium1-1020184


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