Dutch plant-based protein manufacturer Schouten Europe officially acquired its Deventer-based competitor Bobeldijk Food Group. The transaction occurs amid an aggressive market consolidation across the European alternative protein sector, where stabilizing retail volumes are forcing established manufacturers to absorb regional players to protect their margins.
The deal merges Schouten’s €45 million annual revenue with Bobeldijk’s €20 million sales operation. Bobeldijk primarily supplies private label retail and foodservice networks, allowing Schouten to rapidly expand its manufacturing capacity. This operational expansion follows Schouten reporting a 30% growth in its own plant-based meat sales throughout 2025.
Bobeldijk originally launched as a traditional butchery in 1965 before fully pivoting to vegetarian and plant-based lines in 2020. Prior to this sale, the company was controlled by Bracamonte, the investment vehicle of the Hoogwegt family, which took initial ownership of the business in late 2024. The acquisition formally establishes Schouten Europe as the largest family-owned plant-based meat business operating in Europe.
Why the Alternative Protein Sector is Shrinking
The Schouten buyout highlights a severe contraction in the alternative meat supply chain. As inflation pressures consumer grocery budgets across Europe, the initial retail boom for plant-based alternatives has cooled, triggering a rapid industry correction.
Industry data shows that more than 75 alternative protein companies shut down or merged since September 2024. This wave of consolidation indicates that specialized, single-facility operators are struggling to maintain profitability against larger suppliers. By absorbing Bobeldijk’s infrastructure, Schouten insulates its supply line from external volatility while simultaneously eliminating a direct regional competitor from the European market.