Meet the companies driving the protein transition in Amsterdam
12 January 2026
Image from Nao Takabayashi via Unsplash
About the food industry in Amsterdam
Updated 27 January 2026 at 14:37
From lab-grown burgers to crop genetics, innovations in food and agritech in Amsterdam present exciting possibilities for international companies looking at the future of food industry.
The food industry is thriving
Food sustainability and security are fundamental to feeding a growing world without harming the planet – and new food and agritech can provide some of the solutions to meet this global challenge. In Amsterdam, purpose-driven ideas and companies are creating a serious impact.
Image from Martin Bertrand
While the Netherlands has long been acknowledged as the second-largest agricultural exporter in the world, exporting some €65 billion of agricultural produce each year, the last few years have seen it become a frontrunner in future-proof food, including alternative proteins, precision farming, and short-chain solutions.
The Dutch capital was the first EU city to endorse the global Plant Based Treaty, committing to lead the transition towards a more plant-based food system. The city aims to have residents consume at least 60% plant-based foods by 2030, positioning Amsterdam at the forefront of dietary change to combat climate impacts and improve public health.
The wider Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, home to 2.5 million residents and around 20 million visitors annually, offers a unique real-world testing ground for future-proof food concepts. Consumers in the Netherlands already rank among Europe’s biggest users of meat substitutes, underlining strong market readiness for alternative and hybrid proteins.
Amsterdam also ranks fourth globally in Happy Cow’s Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Cities, with 645 eateries offering plant-based options, 12% of which are fully vegan. This thriving plant-based dining scene reflects both cultural openness and commercial opportunity.
Food policy is a key accelerator. The municipality’s Food Strategy (2023–2026) targets a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030, improved access to healthy and sustainable food, fair pricing for local produce and stronger food equity. The strategy actively supports plant-based innovation and entrepreneurship across the city.
Farmers in the Netherlands are growing more food using less resources | Pioneers for Our Planet
Innovations in agritech
There are nearly 240 international food companies in the Amsterdam Area benefiting from the region’s agricultural expertise and access to a lucrative consumer market readily embracing a plant-based table. Some of these companies, like field crop platform 30MHz and dairy farm monitoring app Connecterra, are already changing the face of the industry by using data and AI to optimise management and yield. Another agricultural change-maker, food pioneer Growy, is using vertical farming to offer affordable and sustainable micro-greens.
On the innovation side, the Netherlands ranks in Europe’s top five for agrifood tech investment. Amsterdam alone hosts more than 10,000 food companies, accounting for around 21% of the national total. Nearly 240 international food companies operate in the region, attracted by its agricultural expertise, advanced logistics and high consumer uptake of sustainable foods.
Image from Martin Bertrand
Academia meets industry and public-backing at hubs built for experimentation, including the AMS Institute, Amsterdam Green Campus and research departments of the University of Amsterdam. Wageningen University, one of the world’s top food institutions, is 1 hour away from the Dutch capital.
Set up in Amsterdam
Are you searching for a location for your European office or do you want to know more about your potential market in the Amsterdam Area? As the region’s official foreign investment agency, amsterdam inbusiness can help international businesses enjoy a soft landing in the Amsterdam Area, including arranging fact-finding visits and providing market intelligence.
