Case Study: Why a Dutch food company’s business is mushrooming

It all started with a passion for quality mushrooms and a vision for growing a global business. Now, eleven years and billions of mushrooms later, that vision has clearly come true. Today Scelta Mushrooms BV is recognized internationally as a leader in the world of mushroom products and leading in volume and quality in frozen, pouches, snacks and flavours.

A combination of experience, innovation, quality and customer service has ensured that Scelta are now an established and leading player in the global mushroom world particularly in the frozen mushroom segment with a market share of 45% in Europe.

Scelta’s increasing market share in the European pizza industry is currently already over 60%. Global partnerships with two multinational food companies with subsidiaries in multiple countries mean that Scelta supplies mushrooms in all continents.

Since founding Scelta Mushrooms in 1993, the company has always accomplished a positive trend in revenue and export quantity and will continue doing so in the coming years. Scelta continuously expands their export volume by exploring new markets and introducing new and improved products.

Recently, Scelta chose China and Poland, the two biggest competitors of the Dutch mushroom industry, as their new 'target countries'. Their vision towards the future is mainly focused on their export-markets.

Export makes up for more than 85% of Scelta’s business activity, which causes their activities to have a global mind-set. By studying the major trends in food consumption, presentation and packaging in the world (specifically focusing on Japan, USA, UK and France/Southern Europe) and by being a member of various (local) trade organisations providing them with valuable insights.

“We maintain our position by relying on our long experience, market-driven nature and knowledge of quality mushrooms. Furthermore, we are a healthy and privately owned company. We are the only company which hasn't been sold and will not be sold, whereas our competitors have all been absorbed by larger companies.” comments Jan Klerken, Chief Executive of Scelta Mushrooms.