The Dutch animal feed company, Royal De Heus Animal Nutrition is expanding its presence in Asia’s feed and farm-tech ecosystem with the acquisition of South Korea’s CJ Feed & Care, part of the CJ Group conglomerate. The purchase of CJ Feed & Care will scale De Heus’ presence in Indonesia and Cambodia, while providing direct access to growing animal protein production markets of South Korea and Philippines. The buyout is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first half of 2026.
CJ Feed & Care has over 50 years of technical and commercial experience in animal nutrition, along with operational knowledge across the animal feed, livestock, and agritech sectors.The purchase of CJ Feed & Care will give De Heus access to advanced feed-formulation technologies, biotechnology expertise, and digital farm-management systems, indicating a shift towards data-driven livestock production. The aim is to empower independent farmers and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable food system for generations to come.
Expanding Asian Operations
The signing of share purchase agreement reinforces De Heus’ mission to provide access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food by supporting independent livestock and aquaculture farmers in key growth markets. The acquisition also expands De Heus’s manufacturing footprint, adding 17 feed mills across Asia.
Baker McKenzie, an international law firm specializing in corporate transactions, said it advised Royal De Heus on the acquisition of CJ Feed & Care, highlighting the deal’s potential in expanding De Heus’ operations across Asia.
By combining our expertise in animal nutrition, farm management, and animal health with CJ Feed & Care’s strong local presence, we can create even greater value for our customers, partners, and the wider sector.
Through this acquisition, De Heus has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting independent farmers by potentially improving access to nutrition, genetics, and technical resources, while contributing to the development of a more competitive and resilient livestock farming sector.
DeHeus first entered Vietnam in 2009 and has since built a strong regional network. The company has opened a new shrimp feed mill in the Co Chien Industrial Zone, Vinh Long Province, Vietnam. The $20 million facility has an annual capacity of 50,000 metric tons across five production lines for shrimp feed and represents a major step for the company in Vietnam’s growing aquaculture market. The production facility is consolidated under international quality standards such as ISO 22000, BAP, and GLOBAL G.A.P.
New Facility in Uganda
Founded in 1911, the Royal De Heus is a family owned operation. According to De Heus, the company has a global presence spanning more than 20 countries, with 90 production sites and exports to over 70 markets.The company operations are scaled through a network of facilities, acquisitions, and export partnerships.
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The animal feed comapny has also opened a new fish feed factory in Njeru, located in the Buikwe district in central Uganda. The facility will produce up to 100,000 metric tons of fish feed annually, reducing dependence on imports and improving access to feed for fish farmers.
By transforming local crops into high-quality fish feed, we are supporting a shift from imports to value-added production, which aligns with the vision set by the Government of Uganda
The plant aims to boost the local economy by creating jobs and sourcing ingredients like maize, cassava, and soybeans from Ugandan farmers, with sustainability features like a biomass boiler to minimize fossil fuel use. De Heus entered the Ugandan market in 2015 to promote farmer profitability and regional food security.
India to Power De Heus’ Asian Mission
De Heus India, a division of De Heus Animal Nutrition has constructed a $17 million animal feed mill in Rajpura, Punjab. The facility will have an installed capacity of 180 kMT with capacity to reach to 240 kMT. The feed comapny has emphasised that India remains central to the company’s global and Asian ambitions, due to nation’s dynamic farming communities and its essential role in feeding the world’s most populous nation.
By investing in Punjab, De Heus aims to support local agriculture and contribute to the sustainable growth of India’s livestock sector
The company has also indicated plans to fund R&D and regional collaborations in order to assist the growth of India’s livestock industry and help satisfy the rising demand for wholesome, safe animal protein. The firm also aims to advance feed solutions, professionalise livestock farming in India by offering practical on-farm advice, training, and sustainable production methods, including biomass boilers and advanced re-use systems for steam and water.
