Rethinking proteins and how to feed the future

The Netherlands is stepping forward with sustainable protein solutions that promise to reshape our food systems for the better. From plant-based innovations to cutting-edge cell cultivation, Dutch companies and knowledge institutes are working in tandem to ensure a nutritious, affordable, and environmentally responsible future. Our collective mission? Not just to feed people and planet, but to do so in a smarter way.

We have said it many times, but it’s true: Dutch solutions are rarely born in isolation. The essence of the Netherlands’ innovative model can be seen in the Dutch Diamond, a globally recognised framework of collaboration between government, business, research institutes and civil society. This approach ensures that every voice, whether from a startup, a university, or a farmer’s field, plays a role in the journey from concept to impact.

It is this integrated ecosystem that has enabled the Netherlands to become a global player in sustainable food innovation. The national protein strategy is a clear example, focusing on diversifying protein sources and embracing plant-based, microbial, insect-based, and cultivated proteins. The goal is to reduce pressure on natural resources while offering scalable, healthy alternatives for people everywhere.

Across the Netherlands, forward-thinking companies are proving that sustainable proteins can move from vision to reality. In the East of the country, NIZO Food Research emerged as a world-class research partner helping food and health companies bring alternative protein products to market. With deep expertise in protein functionality, taste optimisation, and food safety, NIZO connects science with practice. Whether working on oat-based yoghurts or fermentation-enhanced ingredients, NIZO’s mission is to make healthy, sustainable food options part of everyday life.

Launching back in the late 1800s, Cosun, an agro-industrial cooperative rooted in Dutch agriculture, has been breaking new ground for decades. By processing plant-based raw materials, Cosun is transforming crops such as sugar beet, chicory, and pulses into high-quality protein ingredients. Their work is not only making plant proteins more accessible, but also supporting circular, economically viable food systems.

A more recent example is the Delft-based biotech startup Meatable, working in cultivated meat production. By growing real meat from a single cell, Meatable offers an ethical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional livestock farming. Their breakthrough technology has the potential to cut emissions, conserve water, and eliminate animal slaughter, all while preserving the look, taste, and nutritional value of conventional meat. These companies are more than just success stories, they are proof that the future of food is already under way in the Netherlands. And has been for a while.

As Japan welcomes the world to Expo 2025 in Osaka, the Netherlands isn’t just sharing products but also our partnerships. Just like us, Japan faces challenges such as urbanisation, an ageing population, and increasing demand for high-quality food with limited land and natural resources. These shared realities create strong opportunities for collaboration.

By connecting expertise across borders, in areas such as functional foods, AI-driven nutrition, and alternative protein technologies, we can drive impactful innovation together. Existing partnerships in horticulture and agri-tech provide a strong foundation. Now, by scaling these successes together, we can create smarter, more sustainable solutions for global food systems.

The Dutch approach is practical, inclusive, and designed for global relevance. Innovation must support economic growth, but it must also improve health outcomes, protect biodiversity and respect cultural values. Whether it is using insects for animal feed, applying precision fermentation to reduce waste, or developing personalised nutrition based on genomics, the Netherlands is working towards a food system that serves both people and planet.

As the world turns its eyes towards Expo 2025 and beyond, we invite partners from all sectors and countries to join us. Together, we can build a resilient, sustainable and delicious future, powered by innovation and shaped by collaboration.

Are you ready to shape the future of food? Let’s farm the future together.

From 2 to 12 June, a Dutch delegation of alternative sustainable proteins and healthy food experts, professionals from knowledge institutes and other government representatives will be joining an economic mission to Expo Osaka to explore collaboration prospects in Japan's agri-food sectors.