News Agribusiness
FrieslandCampina members grow for vegetarian products
FrieslandCampina and Agrifirm have started a pilot project in which thirty dairy farmers grow oats and soybeans. The crops are used as raw materials for the production of FrieslandCampina's plant-based foods. If successful, the trial will be scaled up next year.
FrieslandCampina has already brought several plant-based products onto the market. And with success, says the company. "The next step is to explore whether the member dairy farmers can produce the raw materials for the vegetable products locally. That is why we are starting this trial. It is mainly about learning and gaining experience together, with the aim of an attractive revenue model for the farmer to realize," explains Thomas Gribnau, marketing director at FrieslandCampina, in a statement.
Commercial attractiveness
It concerns a total of 200 hectares of oats and 50 hectares of soybeans. When asked, a FrieslandCampina spokesman explained that the thirty dairy farmers grow either soya or oats. The crops are sown this spring and harvested in the fall. Both companies will evaluate the trial this year and scale it up where possible in 2024. One of the things being investigated is the commercial attractiveness for FrieslandCampina's member dairy farmers, so that it contributes to the revenue model. The ultimate goal is for the locally grown oats and soy to be used in FrieslandCampina's own vegetable products. For example, there is a 'frothed milk' from Friesche Vlag based on oats and Campina oat and soy drinks.
Purchase guarantee
Rens Kuijten, concept manager of protein crops at Agrifirm, reports that interest has exceeded expectations. "The participants receive a predetermined price and a purchase guarantee for the oats and soy they grow. Seed, cultivation requirements and supervision are provided by Agrifirm. It is therefore a great opportunity for Agrifirm and affiliated chain parties to gain more experience with growing, processing and marketing vegetable protein for the food industry."
Last year there was already a small-scale trial with the cultivation of oats at a company in Giethoorn, on the dairy farm of Peter Aalberts and Jeanet Brandsma (see photo). This year they are participating again. They say it fits in well with their business. Brandsma: "We see it as an opportunity in the market. And it's nice that, in addition to the dairy, the vegetable products also come from our own member dairy farms."
Linda van Eekeres
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