Agrifirm and De Nieuwe Melkboer conclude strategic partnership
Agrifirm is joining forces with De Nieuwe Melkboer, an innovative company set up by two farmer’s sons that produces the first soy milk made on Dutch soil. This is one of the projects within the innovation corridor Short Chain. As part of this corridor, Agrifirm is working on a sustainable earnings model for farmers and growers by removing intermediaries in the supply chain.
Introduction
Agrifirm is joining forces with De Nieuwe Melkboer, an innovative company set up by two farmer’s sons that produces the first soy milk made on Dutch soil. This is one of the projects within the innovation corridor Short Chain. As part of this corridor, Agrifirm is working on a sustainable earnings model for farmers and growers by removing intermediaries in the supply chain. By responding to consumer demand for vegetable protein and local concepts, this partnership offers cooperation members possibilities for new earnings models.
Growing demand for vegetable protein
Consumer demand for locally grown vegetable protein is rising rapidly. The concept of De Nieuwe Melkboer offers a strong response to this demand by producing fresh Dutch soy milk. The combination of a growing vegetable dairy market and the willingness of consumers to pay more for transparent, local concepts offers opportunities for growers. Moreover, rapid developments within the retail landscape offer opportunities for new sales channels, such as through initiatives like the Dutch concept Crisp. The partners strive to further develop knowledge about growing soy in the Netherlands. Improvements to the growing process will ultimately add value to the crops. More growers and cooperation members will be able to join this local premium brand in due course. The concept is expected to be rolled out further in 2023.
Increasing economic and ecological returns
Agrifirm’s Arable Business Unit is helping De Nieuwe Melkboer develop a high-quality soy crop that is well suited to the Dutch climate and can be processed into a range of tasty consumer products. The aim is to achieve the highest possible economic and ecological returns while keeping CO2 emissions low and safeguarding biodiversity. Protein-rich crops benefit the soil; as they are innately capable of retaining nitrogen, they require less fertiliser. At the same time, Agrifirm is conducting research into other protein crops that can be grown locally, such as oats and broad beans, for processing into vegetable dairy.
Dick Hordijk, CEO of Royal Agrifirm Group: ‘We’re immensely proud of our new partnership with De Nieuwe Melkboer. After all, our ambitions are clearly along the same lines. By working together, we can not only respond to consumer demand and improve the earnings model of farmers, we also lay the groundwork for a sustainable expansion of the Dutch agricultural sector. This is at the heart of our innovation strategy for the coming years.’
Tom Grobben, De Nieuwe Melkboer: ‘My brother Bart and I are from well-established dairy farming stock. As the youngest generation, we want to respond to modern developments by continuing our family’s work in a new way. Thanks to our partnership with Agrifirm, we’re now able to take an important step towards scaling up, so that more farmers and consumers can benefit from the sustainable advantages and rich flavour of vegetable dairy.’
For more information, please visit www.nieuwemelkboer.nl.
De Nieuwe Melkboer, Bart and Tom Grobben