Food

Together with Central Denmark Region, Aarhus is responsible for 42% of Denmark’s total exports in the food sector. This is a recipe for an exciting growth scenario for the Danish food cluster. For Aarhus and central Jutland, this scenario is particularly interesting, because the cluster is most strongly anchored in central Jutland both in terms of knowledge and production.

World-class companies

Aarhus plays a significant role on the international market for food products. So it’s no surprise that several large food companies have decided to locate headquarters and facilities in the city. Europe’s second-largest cooperative dairy company, Arla Foods, is headquartered in Aarhus, and has also established its innovation center in Agro Food Park, Aarhus’ food innovation powerhouse. Arla Foods is the eighth largest dairy company in the world. Other major international companies in the sector in Aarhus include AarhusKarlshamn and IFF.

Leading food cluster and dynamic innovation ecosystem

East Jutland has the highest concentration of food-related knowledge in Europe across the entire value chain, from farm to fork. For example, both Force Technology and the Danish Technological Institute have extensive expertise and advanced test equipment for the food sector.

Aarhus has a strong innovation ecosystem for food products. For example, Agro Food Park houses SEGES, Food and Biocluster Denmark, Organic Denmark and AU Food, Aarhus University’s Department of Food Science. Agro Food Park also offers a dynamic environment for the development of agricultural technologies as well as food and agriculture startups and scaleups.

Research expertise

Businesses within the food industry in the Aarhus area have optimal opportunities for exploiting world-class research expertise in the development of the solutions of the future.

Aarhus University’s iFood (Centre for Innovative Food Research) offers specialized knowledge on subjects such as nanotechnology, food packaging, and consumer preferences and behavior.

Food sector-related degree programmes

Aarhus offers a wide range of excellent food-related degree programmes. Aarhus University offers a BSc and four MSc programmes within food, and the Aarhus University School of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Engineering degree in agricultural technology.