Sustainability and technology drive growth in the food sector

The Dutch food industry continues to grow, though in a different way than before. Sustainability, technology and changing consumer preferences are increasingly setting the pace. This is shown by Food market 2025: Growth through Sustainability and Innovation, a study by BDO Deal Advisory.

Growth continues, but the rules are changing

In 2024, the European market reached €2.212 trillion, an average annual growth of 8.5% since 2021. In the Netherlands, growth was slightly slower at 6.9% per year, bringing the market to €66 billion. The largest segments remain meat and poultry, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Still, the dynamics are shifting. Technology is taking on a bigger role, and sustainable products are gaining ground. Companies are realizing they can no longer rely on old formulas for success.

Consumers are becoming more critical

The days when sustainability was a nice extra are over. “Sustainability is not an extra, but a basic requirement,” says BDO. And producers are seeing that first-hand: 64% of European consumers call sustainability a decisive factor in their purchasing decisions. Origin, fair production and animal welfare also weigh more heavily than ever.

The demand for clean label products with short, recognizable ingredient lists is rising too. Functional foods with probiotics or fortified ingredients continue to perform well. And convenience? That still rules. Meal kits, subscriptions and even vending machines that prepare a hot meal in just a few minutes — it all fits the new way of eating.

Investors stay hungry

It’s also busy at the deal table. In 2024, 1,193 acquisitions were completed worldwide, including 150 in the Netherlands. The average EV/Revenue multiple remained steady at 2.0x in the second quarter of 2025.
The combination of steady demand, innovation and sustainability keeps the sector attractive to investors. Despite inflation and higher interest rates, confidence remains remarkably strong. Companies that manage to combine health, technology and sustainability smartly clearly have the wind at their back.

Bdo.nl