The poultry processing industry in the Nordics plays a vital role in food production and supply, focusing on preparing chicken and turkey for consumers. Companies range from small farms to large manufacturing plants, offering everything from slaughtering to packaging. This industry is shifting towards automation and sustainability, utilizing technology to enhance efficiency and reduce waste. Notably, innovative practices are being adopted, such as animal welfare improvements and eco-friendly practices. Consumer demand for high-quality poultry products is growing, indicating a strong future for the sector, driven by modern processing techniques and a focus on healthy food options.


The list of top investors in the Nordic poultry processing industry features a mix of corporate entities and private equity firms. Majority are based in Stockholm, with others in Copenhagen and Helsinki, showing a regional concentration. Founded between 1955 and 2018, they vary in size from small startups to established players with thousands of employees. In 2024, these investors collectively executed 70 investment deals, ranging from technological advancements to impactful acquisitions, highlighting robust activity within the sector. Their support reflects growing confidence in poultry processing and its future potential across the Nordic countries.


Top 10 Poultry Processing Investors in the Nordics


1. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Founded in 1994, EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Notably, EQT has made significant investments in various industries, including a stake in Færch Plast A/S, a leader in rigid plastic packaging for ready meals and protein food trays, which is relevant to the poultry processing sector. Additionally, EQT has engaged in transactions such as the acquisition of Cimbria, a company involved in agricultural technology, and has shown interest in food-related ventures through investments like Formo, an animal-free cheese producer. These transactions highlight EQT's broad investment strategy and its potential relevance to the poultry processing industry.


2. Altor Equity Partners

  • Website: altor.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: altor

Altor Equity Partners is a private equity investment management firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2003. The firm focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and sustainable growth for its partners through tailored investment strategies and digital transformation solutions. Altor has made notable investments in the poultry processing sector, including the acquisition of Meyn Food Processing Technology in 2005, which specializes in providing advanced processing solutions for poultry. They also acquired Haarslev Industries in 2012, a company involved in food processing, which further emphasizes their engagement in the food sector. Additionally, Altor's investment in Hamlet Protein, a producer of animal feed, showcases their broader interest in the animal protein supply chain, which is closely related to poultry processing.


3. Marel

  • Website: marel.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Garðabær, Garðabær, Iceland
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn: marel

Marel is a leading food processing equipment manufacturer based in Garðabær, Iceland, founded in 1983. The company specializes in providing advanced solutions for the poultry, meat, fish, and prepared foods industries. Marel offers a comprehensive range of products, including processing machinery, software solutions, and maintenance services, aimed at improving efficiency and product quality through automation and innovative technology. Notably, Marel has made significant strides in the poultry processing sector, highlighted by its acquisition of PMJ, a global provider of advanced processing solutions for the duck industry, announced on January 22, 2021. This acquisition allows Marel to expand its market reach and enhance its poultry processing capabilities. Additionally, Marel's acquisition of Poultry Machinery Joosten B.V. (PMJ) on January 25, 2021, further emphasizes its commitment to the poultry processing market, particularly in the duck segment. These strategic acquisitions demonstrate Marel's focus on strengthening its position in the poultry processing industry, making it a relevant player in this sector.


4. Finnfund

  • Website: finnfund.fi
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 1980
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: finnfund

Finnfund is a not-for-profit development financier and impact investor based in Helsinki, Finland, founded in 1980. The organization focuses on creating sustainable futures by investing in companies that address global development challenges, particularly in developing countries. Finnfund provides investment and advisory services to promote economic growth and sustainability across various sectors. Notably, Finnfund has made significant investments in the poultry processing industry, including a $5 million investment in EthioChicken, an Ethiopian chicken company, through the OP Finnfund Global Impact Fund I, which aims to enhance job creation and food security. Additionally, they have previously invested $10 million in EthioChicken in 2016 through debt financing. Other relevant transactions include investments in Yalelo Limited, a company involved in aquaculture and poultry, and Valency International, which also operates in the agricultural sector. These transactions highlight Finnfund's commitment to supporting sustainable poultry production and processing initiatives.


5. Munters

  • Website: munters.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1955
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: munters

Munters is a climate control solutions provider based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in energy-efficient products for industrial and agricultural applications. Founded in 1955, the company offers a range of products including dehumidifiers, air cleaning systems, and cooling solutions, catering to various sectors such as battery production and food agriculture. Notably, Munters has made significant strides in the poultry processing industry through strategic acquisitions. In 2017, they acquired MTech Systems, a company focused on software systems for poultry and swine production, aiming to enhance their climate control solutions with advanced data analytics. In 2015, they acquired Reventa, a German company that specializes in climate control systems for livestock buildings, further solidifying their position in the agricultural sector. More recently, in 2024, Munters announced the acquisition of Hotraco, a Dutch developer of control systems and sensors for agriculture, which is expected to enhance their FoodTech portfolio. These transactions highlight Munters' commitment to improving climate control solutions in the poultry processing industry.


6. Lantmännen

  • Website: lantmannen.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: lantmannen

Lantmännen is an agricultural cooperative based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2001. With over 10,000 employees, it operates across various sectors, including agriculture, machinery, bioenergy, and food products. The cooperative is owned by Swedish farmers and emphasizes sustainable practices throughout its operations. In 2024, Lantmännen made a significant move by acquiring HKFoods, a transaction that indicates their commitment to expanding their footprint in the food sector. This acquisition, along with their previous agreements, such as the acquisition of Myllyn Paras, a Finnish food company, highlights their strategy to enhance their presence in the food market, which may include poultry processing. Their involvement in these transactions suggests a broader interest in food production, potentially encompassing poultry products.


7. Atria Plc

  • Website: atria.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Finland
  • Founded year: 1903
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: atria-plc

Atria Plc is a corporate investor based in Finland, founded in 1903. The company specializes in food manufacturing, particularly in meat and poultry products, and is committed to sustainability and animal welfare. Atria serves both consumers and businesses in the food service industry, providing high-quality food products with an emphasis on transparency in food production processes. In 2015, Atria acquired Aalbaek Specialiteter, Denmark's largest manufacturer of organic cold cuts, to strengthen its position in the cold cuts market, which is relevant to poultry processing. More recently, in May 2024, Atria completed the acquisition of Atria Gooh AB, a convenience food business, further diversifying its portfolio while maintaining its focus on meat and poultry products. These transactions highlight Atria's active engagement in the poultry processing industry.


8. Polaris Private Equity


Polaris Private Equity is a private equity firm based in Copenhagen, Denmark, founded in 1998. The firm specializes in investment management, focusing on supporting mid-sized companies in the Nordic region through tailored investment strategies that include private equity, flexible capital, and public equity. Polaris partners with management teams to drive growth and operational improvements, helping these companies realize their full potential. Notably, Polaris has been involved in significant transactions such as the acquisition of HAMLET PROTEIN in 2007, a company that produces protein products for animal feed, including poultry. This acquisition highlights Polaris's engagement in the poultry processing sector. Additionally, they acquired Novadan in 2000 and a majority stake in Det Danske Madhus in 2014, further demonstrating their active role in the food industry, which may intersect with poultry processing.


9. Industrifonden

  • Website: industrifonden.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1979
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: industrifonden

Industrifonden is a venture capital fund based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1979. The fund specializes in investing in early-stage companies, particularly in the fields of Deep Tech, Life Science, and Transformative Tech. Industrifonden provides financial support and strategic guidance to startups, helping them scale their innovative solutions and create long-term value through partnerships with passionate founders. Notably, Industrifonden has been involved in various transactions, including a significant investment in Gårdsfisk, which raised $4,993,393 in a Series A round in March 2025. This investment reflects their interest in innovative food production, which could relate to poultry processing. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for companies like EnginZyme and Cellevate, focusing on transformative technologies that may have applications in food processing and sustainability.


10. Maki.vc

  • Website: maki.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: maki-vc

Maki.vc is a venture capital firm based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in seed-stage investments in deep tech and brand-driven companies, providing funding and support to early-stage startups to help them navigate growth and innovation challenges. Maki.vc operates primarily in the Nordic region but has a global investment mandate. Notably, they have invested in Onego Bio, a Finnish startup that has developed a breakthrough technology to produce egg white without chickens, receiving seed funding from Maki.vc in 2022. This investment highlights Maki.vc's interest in innovative solutions within the poultry processing industry. Additionally, they participated in a Series A funding round for Onego Bio in 2024, further emphasizing their commitment to supporting advancements in poultry-related technologies. Their portfolio also includes investments in other sectors, but their involvement in poultry processing through Onego Bio positions them as a relevant player in this field.



Poultry Processing Insights: Key Investors in the Nordics


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
Altor Equity PartnersStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden51-20020036
MarelGarðabær, Garðabær, Iceland5001-1000019830
FinnfundHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland51-20019807
MuntersStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-500019554
LantmännenStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden10001+20013
Atria PlcFinland1001-500019032
Polaris Private EquityCopenhagen, Denmark51-20019984
IndustrifondenStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden11-5019799
Maki.vcHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland1-10201811


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