Leader in sustainability

Together with the EKO Holland Vee & Vlees cooperative, we have reached an agreement within the supply chain to further promote organic meat. We will be working more closely with various livestock farmers so that we can offer our customers a wide range of sustainable animal welfare options.

The core team came together for a day focused on (food) safety and quality, during which we took a critical look at ‘where are we now?’, ‘where do we want to go?’, and, above all, ‘how are we going to get there?’. It was a valuable and informative day, during which we worked together to build a culture in which safety and quality are truly embedded!

The production site in Roosendaal has closed. This decision follows a thorough review of current market conditions and the need to improve operational efficiency. Production and logistics operations have been relocated to other existing sites within and outside the Van Loon Group.

At the very first ‘Rund op z’n Best’ event, we came together with our supply chain partners and cattle farmers. It was an inspiring evening during which we reflected on market developments, the current state of affairs and the future of this unique supply chain concept.

Using the Impact Buying blockchain, we have calculated and validated the exact CO₂ data for our ‘Varken op zijn Best’ (VoB) pig farmers for 2023 in accordance with the Dutch industry standard.

The EcoVadis platform assesses the quality of our sustainability management. With our gold medal, we rank among the top 5% of all assessed companies worldwide – that’s over 150,000 organisations. Within our own sector (meat processing and preservation), we are even among the top 1% globally – a result of which we are particularly proud!

Van Loon Group has established the ‘Stichting JOS’ Foundation – named after its founder, Jos van Loon. Through this, we make a positive contribution to local and regional community projects. Anyone can submit an initiative, provided there is a clear link to a Van Loon Group employee or location. The foundation provides expertise, financial support and the commitment of dedicated colleagues. The JOS Foundation supports initiatives that truly make a difference. www.stichtingjos.nl

On behalf of the 'Stichting JOS’ Foundation, 25 of our staff members helped out at the Hoopheggen tree-planting day in Heeswijk-Dinther. This was a wonderful contribution to our ‘Rund op z’n Best’ (RoB) farm, De Waaistap, which is currently in the midst of transitioning to nature-inclusive agriculture. By planting hedges in the pasture, the original landscape is being restored, and biodiversity enhanced. With a large group of volunteers, including 25 colleagues from the Van Loon Group, we planted no fewer than 5,500 plants.

One of our ‘Varken op z’n Best’ farmers has been awarded the very first Holland Varken Quality certificate in the Netherlands. This new supply chain quality system for the Dutch pig sector provides a uniform and reliable foundation for the entire pork supply chain. On behalf of Van Loon Group, we are immensely proud of this milestone. Together, we are building a future-proof supply chain in which quality, transparency and sustainability are central.

Out of 750 entries, our CSR annual report has been selected as one of the ten finalists for the Sustainability Reporting Excellence Award, part of the Reuters Global Sustainability Awards 2025. ‘This remarkable achievement is a testament to your unwavering commitment to pioneering sustainable business models and driving the transition towards a climate-neutral future,’ said Reuters.

Every year, we meet with our pig farmers (VoB, Bio and Zonvarken) and supply chain partners for an inspiring evening where we reflect on the current market situation and developments, and look ahead to the future of our pig supply chain. Through meetings like this, we continue to share knowledge, learn from one another and work together to build a strong supply chain.

Soya is an important and efficient source of protein for pigs and chickens. Together with our supply chain partners, we have launched a project to use soya in pig feed that is sourced from farmland that has been deforestation-free for at least 20 years. This will enable us to achieve a CO₂ reduction of at least 14%.