Danish Crown Foods

“Have you ever wondered how a Danish company became a global meat giant?” I asked, gesturing towards the unassuming building of Danish Crown Foods in Haarlem. Danish Crown Foods may not look like much from the outside, but it represents a piece of a massive international operation. The company’s history stretches back to 1887, to the very first Danish cooperative pig abattoir in Horsens, Denmark. Danish Crown Foods, as part of the larger Danish Crown group, carries this legacy. Danish Crown isn’t just any meat company. It’s the world’s largest pork exporter and Europe’s largest pork producer. It also holds the title of Europe’s largest meat processing company. Danish Crown feeds millions across the globe, contributing to an estimated 49 billion meals annually. In 2021, the company’s turnover reached a staggering 60 billion Danish kroner. This success story started with Danish farmers. Today, Danish Crown is still owned by approximately 5,620 of them. This cooperative ownership model is a unique aspect of Danish Crown’s identity. The company’s reach extends far beyond Denmark. With roughly 23,000 employees worldwide in 2020, Danish Crown operates 89 production sites, 40 warehouses, and 38 offices in 30 countries. From farm to fork, Danish Crown Foods plays a role in bringing pork and beef products to tables around the world. So, next time you see a Danish Crown product, remember the journey. It started in a small Danish town over a century ago and has grown to a global scale, right here with Danish Crown Foods in Haarlem.