Key Takeaways
- Royal Berry will acquire strawberry grower Dutch Berries, based in Zuilichem, effective January 1, 2027.
- The companies said the deal is intended to build scale and innovation capacity in response to trends in sustainability, variety development, cultivation technology, automation, AI and robotics.
- Boudewijn van der Wal will join Royal Berry's management team alongside CEO Jan van Genderen and operations director Erik Gerichhausen, while remaining active.
- Dutch Berries founder Gijbert Kreling will shift his focus to other activities within the GK Group.
- Following the acquisition, the combined organization will operate 110 hectares of cultivation area, including 47 hectares equipped with LED lighting for year-round strawberry production.
Royal Berry to Acquire Dutch Berries
Royal Berry has announced it will acquire strawberry company Dutch Berries, based in Zuilichem, effective January 1, 2027. The companies said the move is a significant step in Royal Berry's ambition to build a more robust and future-proof organization.
Driving Forces Behind the Deal
According to Royal Berry, developments in sustainability, variety selection and availability, innovative cultivation concepts, automation, artificial intelligence and robotics require greater scale and innovation capacity. By combining forces, the companies said, Royal Berry and Dutch Berries aim to create a stronger organization better positioned for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Royal Berry's management expressed appreciation for Gijbert Kreling, whose confidence and entrepreneurship made the acquisition possible, noting that years of dedication, vision and involvement helped Dutch Berries grow into a strong, leading company.
“We have enormous respect for what Gijbert has built, and we look forward to building further on this strong foundation together,” said Jan van Genderen, CEO of Royal Berry.
Leadership and Organizational Changes
As part of the acquisition, Boudewijn van der Wal will join Royal Berry's management team alongside Jan van Genderen (CEO) and Erik Gerichhausen (operations director). Van der Wal will remain actively involved. Gijbert Kreling will shift his focus to other activities within the GK Group.
Combined Scale After the Royal Berry–Dutch Berries Merger
Royal Berry said its team is looking forward to working with Dutch Berries to build a joint organization centered on quality, innovation and sustainability, describing the acquisition as the start of a new chapter of shared growth. After the deal closes, the combined organization will manage 110 hectares of cultivation area, of which 47 hectares will be equipped with LED lighting to support year-round strawberry production.
