PHOTO: HERBERT WIGGERMAN
INTERVIEW ▶▶▶
hand in hand. If you make fewer by-products, and if animals stay healthier leading to the use of fewer antibiotics, and if animal productivity increases as well, than that is all positive.”
Surely farmers need to be open to these ideas? “Of course! We all know that feed can be up to 75% of total farm costs. If a customer aims only for low costs, then perhaps in the short term they could think things are going well, but in the longer term perhaps not after all. So we are trying to steer our conversations in the direction of return on investment. Obviously we understand as well that these kinds of concepts are difficult to implement during economically adverse times.”
In the Netherlands, they will aim for fewer animals in ani- mal husbandry. Does that type of sustainability make you happy? “No. Our vision is that a reduction of the livestock herd is not the only solution. If the herd is necessary, then all that will happen is that it will be relocated. Our vision is that we’ll have to make sure that there is more balance between our customers and their surroundings.”
Alternative protein sources – do you consider these an interesting market for Trouw Nutrition? “We are looking into those anyway. We can use alternative protein sources as feed ingredients, not only as replacements for animal protein in human food. “We also have an investment department within Nutreco that has a small involvement in alternative protein companies. For instance, we have bought shares in the cultured meat company
Company statement on the situation in Ukraine
Trouw Nutrition and Nutreco have, as do many other multi- nationals, interests in Ukraine and Russia. The company released the following statement on the situation there: “At Nutreco, we deeply deplore the suffering and loss of life as a result of the war in Ukraine. We are working closely with our Ukrainian colleagues and their families to ensure their safety, which is our utmost priority at this time. In addition, we are focusing on safeguarding our operations in Ukraine and on ensuring continuity in the wider supply chain. At this moment, we are continuing to work with our suppliers and customers in Russia and the Ukraine as we believe that, as a company that operates in the feed and food industry, it’s our social respon- sibility to support society with a continued supply of food. In doing so, we will work in full compliance with all international sanctions. We are poised to adapt our plans as needed in this changing environment and are continually reviewing the situation together with colleagues in the region.”
14 ▶ DAIRY GLOBAL | Volume 9, No. 2, 2022
Mosa Meat, and we are also looking into fish – if only because we’d like to understand where all this is heading. Eventually we will have to feed a growing world population. And we can do that; I’m upbeat about that. Alternative proteins will become part of the portfolio of solutions. The question is: How big will the percentage be?”
What are the main expectations for the next ten years? “We think that sustainability will become very important in the next few years – and it already is. Consumers will continue to be- come more vocal and that will increase the pressure in our value chain. If we have sustainable solutions, we can indeed provide food for 9 to 10 billion people without destroying the planet. “Digital will also be a megatrend. Soon we will get a genera- tion of customers who grew up entirely digitally – who will do everything digitally. As a market player we will have to be part of that development. “And we have already touched on alternative proteins; I think they will certainly play a role. The most interesting thing is, what will that role be? It could be that the share of animal protein will go down, and that it will change its appearance. “I could imagine that, perhaps even when my young daughters are old, a piece of steak may have become a niche category that shares the shelf with other protein sources. And what will that mean for our industry? Alternative proteins will become a very interesting trend, I think, as it has an impact on all parts of the world.”
So we will be able to feed 9.2 billion people? You are optimistic about that? “Yes, I am optimistic. I do think, however, that there’s work to do – not only for companies, but also for consumers. We produce a lot of leftovers in the food chain and we have all kinds of solutions to reduce those. That’s not just us – that’s also a matter of how con- sumers pick that up.”
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