€10 Billion in Protein Exports: Achievable Only Through Smart Supply Chains and Private Collaboration

Dutch alternative protein companies are well-positioned for international expansion, with the sector’s economic export potential exceeding €10 billion. To realize this potential by 2030, swift and strategic action is required. While other countries are clearly positioning themselves and showcasing their innovations, the Netherlands is lagging behind. During a meeting at Rabobank in Utrecht—co-organized by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and Foodvalley—entrepreneurs from the Dutch alternative protein sector were briefed on international opportunities.

The alternative protein sector aligns with all the focus areas the RVO aims to promote in international business. “Food security, climate, energy, economic resilience, and self-sufficiency all converge in the protein transition,” says Annemieke Broesterhuizen, Head of International Business at the RVO. “Dutch organizations are globally leading in this transition, and we aim to keep it that way.” With this event, the RVO hopes to inspire and facilitate public-private partnerships, enabling companies to successfully expand abroad.

Well-Prepared for International Markets

The key message from various institutions—from the RVO to impact investor Fair Capital—is that internationalization demands a robust business case. All companies face challenges when expanding internationally. Costs rise quickly when doing business abroad, and companies must have a clear understanding of the potential returns to justify the investment.

The RVO offers extensive information, networks, and opportunities for businesses looking to internationalize. One example is the new sector report being developed on opportunities for Dutch companies in the protein transition in Belgium. Such reports delve into business etiquette and legal and regulatory differences in new markets.

Making Use of Trade Missions

In addition to reports, the RVO organizes training sessions, supports market research, provides networking opportunities, and arranges trade missions. Broesterhuizen advises joining trade missions to target markets early on. These not only help in establishing key contacts but also facilitate learning from other companies joining the mission. The agency also has sector and country specialists who can connect companies with embassies and trade attachés abroad.

If a foreign expansion is deemed viable, the RVO plays a connecting role in securing financing. It supports feasibility studies and investment preparation, enabling companies to approach financial institutions for funding. “We often underestimate the complexity,” says Broesterhuizen.

Foreign Expansion Is Risky

Entrepreneurs often underestimate how risky and costly international expansion can be. Fair Capital, an impact investment firm, evaluates not just financial returns but also the societal and environmental impact of companies, including those in the protein transition. “Expanding internationally always means reduced focus on other areas of the business, and it requires significant time and money. It’s only worth it if the foreign market offers sales potential not achievable locally. Often, international growth is not essential for a company’s healthy development.”

If a company has solid revenues in the Netherlands, it may be eligible for credit to fund international expansion. Ruud Evers from Rabobank explains the bank’s approach to financing: “Internationalization typically starts with exports. If that goes well, a sales office abroad may follow. Eventually, local production and warehousing might be required. Each step increases costs, risks, and the amount of financing needed.” At each stage—whether hiring staff or building infrastructure—different loans are available to cover costs.

International from the Start

Some companies operate internationally from the outset. Invest International, launched by the Ministry of Finance and FMO, supports startups and scale-ups with international ambitions. The Seaweed Company is one such example. It grows, dries, and processes seaweed. Due to the unsuitability of the Dutch coastline for seaweed farming, the company operates plantations abroad while keeping processing and commercialization in the Netherlands. Such businesses often fall outside standard financing models. “If a company doesn’t quite fit anywhere else, they come to us,” says Raymond Beimers from Invest International

Every Company for Itself

In practice, only individual companies with solid financials qualify for international expansion funding. Even then, expansion is far from easy. Frank van der Sluis from Protix, a producer of insect-based ingredients, laments the lack of government support in keeping the sector rooted in the Netherlands. “Loan interest rates are high, and investors demand quicker returns. Why not offer government guarantees to reduce investment risk?” Currently, such guarantees are available primarily to help companies navigate risky stages of internationalization, rather than to promote the alternative protein sector in particular.

An Uneven Playing Field

Cher Glaser, impact investor at Fair Capital, acknowledges the lack of a level playing field for the alternative protein sector. “The animal protein sector currently receives more subsidies and support, even though alternative proteins offer a more sustainable option. Unfortunately, that’s the current reality. That said, the Netherlands does showcase great innovations—companies need to connect to unlock market potential.”

A Chilled Investment Climate

Companies developing products not yet approved for the European market struggle to make projections about return on investment. This makes them a risky bet for investors. Due to more flexible regulations in other countries, many companies involved in precision fermentation and cultivated meat have already expanded abroad. Vincent Krudde of Nutreco, an animal feed producer developing growth media for cultivated meat, explains the cautious investment climate: “Investors still see many risks and lack clarity on when returns will materialize. This is due to technical and economic hurdles, regulatory uncertainty, and questions around consumer acceptance.”

Some of the risks can be mitigated through cooperation within the cultivated meat value chain. “EU regulatory approval is just one risk. Companies can already prepare by reducing uncertainty in scaling and value chain development,” says Krudde. Nutreco is investing in its value chain partners, viewing their success as part of its own strategy. Supporting these partners is essential for Nutreco to ultimately profit from its role in the cultivated protein ecosystem once it is approved as a novel food.

Finding the right international partners and building a supply chain abroad can be challenging. Jeroen Willemsen of Foodvalley speaks from experience—when seeking new markets after establishing Ojah’s meat substitute factory, he joined a trade mission. While he made valuable contacts, it was a time-consuming process. He realized that greater visibility is essential to attract international partners.

Putting the Netherlands on the Map

Foodvalley has received funding to explore the value of a potential international protein strategy. “We aim to complete the feasibility study by the end of 2025 and present it to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV),” says Willemsen. “In 2026, we hope to launch ‘Future Protein NL’—a showcase where Dutch protein companies can present themselves globally and be easily found.” Early interviews already suggest a clear strategic focus: The Netherlands: Global hub for scaling innovative solutions to increase protein self-sufficiency.

While international opportunities for the alternative protein sector are significant, expansion is complex, costly, and risky. Without a clear business case, thorough preparation, and value chain collaboration, many ambitions may fail prematurely. Future Protein NL can position the Netherlands as a global hub of knowledge, networks, and innovation to support global self-sufficiency. With targeted support from public institutions, investors, and industry organizations, the protein transition can become a powerful export story—not just in volume, but in knowledge, impact, and future-proof growth. The goal is to reach €10 billion in export value by 2030. For reference: in 2023, it stood at €840 million (Foodvalley, 2023).