From Farms to Markets: Van Aarsen’s Feed Mills Revolution in Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s fast-growing poultry, livestock, and aquaculture sectors require more than volume-driven feed production. They demand consistency, efficiency, and cost control. This is where Van Aarsen Feed Mill Technology, a Dutch specialist in advanced feed solutions, identified a strong business opportunity aligned with Bangladesh’s expanding agri-economy.

“We realised feed production in Bangladesh is not just about quantity—it’s about precision, efficiency, and sustainability,” says Roger Ubags, Sales Manager Asia, Van Aarsen.

Entering a Market Ready to Scale

Van Aarsen entered Bangladesh through the PoultryTechBangladesh initiative, introducing turnkey feed-mill solutions, energy-efficient machinery, and structured operator training. Early projects focused on demonstrating clear business value: higher throughput, consistent feed quality, and lower operating costs.

A milestone project was the Rupshi feed mill for City Group, designed to process 111 tonnes per hour across nine production lines. The upgrade helped shift feed production from basic commodity output to higher-margin, value-added products—improving profitability and supply reliability.

“Seeing a mill transition from manual, inefficient operations to automated, high-performance production was both challenging and rewarding,” Ubags notes.

Turning Operational Challenges into Advantage

Growth came with complexity. Feed mills varied widely in layout, raw materials, and power reliability. Van Aarsen addressed this by adapting machinery to local conditions, developing Bangladesh-specific manuals, and training local engineers to ensure uptime and performance.

“Investment decisions accelerated once partners saw measurable returns and reduced operational risk,” Ubags explains.

Dutch DNA: Efficiency Through Circular Thinking

Van Aarsen’s Dutch engineering approach focuses on minimising waste and maximising input efficiency. By optimising energy use and reducing raw-material losses, feed mills improved cost efficiency—turning sustainability into a clear financial benefit.

Growth and Lessons for Entrepreneurs

“For new Dutch entrepreneurs, the lesson is simple,” Ubags concludes. “Bangladesh offers scalability, talent, and market demand. But real success often comes from local adaptation, long-term commitment, and delivering proven returns.”