Big Dutchman AG, headquartered in Vechta, Germany, is a global pioneer and market leader in agricultural equipment, specializing in housing and feeding systems for poultry and pig production. Established in 1938, the company has grown into a global enterprise, delivering high-tech, sustainable farming solutions to more than 100 countries.
Core Business and Product Offerings
Big Dutchman operates across four main domains—poultry, pig, insect farming, and horticulture—delivering integrated solutions to farmers and agribusinesses. Their product portfolio includes:
Poultry Equipment
- Housing Systems: Aviary systems, enriched colony cages, and broiler management units
- Feeding & Watering: Automated feeding systems, precision drinkers
- Climate Control: Air inlets, exhaust units, heating, and cooling systems
- Lighting & Monitoring: LED lighting and smart control panels
- Waste Management: Residue drying, composting, and energy conversion units
- Feed Storage & Transport: Silos, conveyors, augers
Pig Equipment
- Sow Housing: Gestation stalls, farrowing crates, electronic sow feeders
- Growing & Finishing Units: Modular pens, ventilation, feeding systems
- Environmental Systems: Slurry management, ammonia control
Insect Farming
- Black Soldier Fly Larvae Systems: Fully integrated breeding and rearing systems for sustainable protein production
Horticulture
- Greenhouse Technologies: High-efficiency climate control and fertigation systems
Specialization and Unique Selling Proposition
Big Dutchman’s value proposition lies in:
- Complete Farm Solutions: Turnkey equipment and management systems
- Innovation: Over 100 patents globally and continuous R&D investment
- Digital Farming: Advanced software and automation via BigFarmNet
- Sustainability: Pioneering circular economy practices including waste-to-energy systems
Financials
Big Dutchman AG reported a revenue of approximately EUR 900 million (USD 980 million) in 2023. Its poultry division accounts for nearly 60% of total revenue, followed by pig equipment and the rapidly growing insect farming segment.
Shipment and Export Data
Trade intelligence from ImportYeti and Volza indicates:
- Over 4,500 international shipments between 2020 and 2024
- Key export destinations include China, India, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and the United States
- High-volume exports consist of climate control units, poultry feeding systems, and pig housing equipment
Target Market
Big Dutchman serves:
- Industrial Poultry and Swine Farms
- Government Agricultural Projects
- Large-Scale Integrators
- Sustainable Protein Producers
- Agri-Tech Researchers
Its clients include global agribusiness leaders and national agriculture ministries.
Capabilities
- Global Presence: Production facilities and offices in Germany, China, Malaysia, Brazil, and the USA
- Engineering Expertise: In-house design, fabrication, and software development teams
- After-Sales Service: Worldwide network of trained technicians and support engineers
- Smart Farming Integration: Use of IoT and AI via BigFarmNet platform
Certifications and Compliance
- ISO 9001: Quality Management
- CE Compliance for all electrical and mechanical equipment
- EU Animal Welfare Standards Compliance
- VDI and DLG verified performance certifications
Customer Testimonials
“Big Dutchman systems have transformed our poultry operations, delivering consistency, efficiency, and animal welfare.”
— Director of Operations, Al Watania Poultry, Saudi Arabia
“We integrated BigFarmNet across all our pig farms. The real-time data and automation have improved productivity by 30%.”
— Head of Production, CP Group Vietnam
Major Achievements
- 2023: Launched EcoUnit—a sustainable manure-to-energy solution for poultry farms
- 2022: Expanded its insect farming division with projects in Europe and Asia
- 2021: Recognized with the German Innovation Award for Smart Climate Control Systems
- 2020: Installed over 1 million poultry housing units worldwide
Big Dutchman AG remains at the forefront of agricultural innovation, committed to sustainable, efficient, and intelligent farming systems that cater to the evolving needs of global food production.
