Hofgut Eichigt GmbH

What Hofgut Eichigt GmbH does

Hofgut Eichigt GmbH is a German organic farming and dairy operation headquartered in Eichigt, Vogtland (Saxony), operating approximately 1,200 dairy cows on 6,000 hectares of biodynamically cultivated land with a team of around 150 employees. The farm was acquired by the dennree Gruppe in 2015 and subsequently converted from conventional agriculture to certified organic production, achieving Bioland certification in 2018 and Biokreis certification in 2021.

The company's core technology and infrastructure center on a 66-cow outside milking carousel (Außenmelkkarussell) and an on-site Bio-Hofmolkerei commissioned in 2021, which processes milk from the farm's own cows within meters of the milking parlor and produces fresh milk and dairy products that reach BioMärkte shelves typically within one day. The farm practices kuhgebundene Kälberaufzucht (cow-calf contact rearing), guaranteed pasture access, and horned-cattle husbandry. Additional product lines — cheese via Biokäserei Wohlfahrt, sunflower and rapeseed oils via Ölmühle vfi, and honey via Bio-Imkerei Frankenwälder Streuobsthof — extend the brand through specialized partner processors.

Revenue is generated primarily through wholesale of branded fresh organic dairy, cheese, oils, and honey to BioMärkte (the organic retail chain affiliated with the dennree parent). The go-to-market is direct-to-retail plus supporting direct and event-driven channels, including the company's website, social media (Facebook and Instagram @hofgut-eichigt), the Hofgut Magazin, and the biennial Eichigter Öko-Expertenforum research and practitioner event. Long-running research collaborations with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the Helmholtz-Zentrum, TU Dresden, and Universität Kassel position the farm as both a learning organization and a thought leader in German organic agriculture.

Name

Hofgut Eichigt GmbH

Legal name

Hofgut Eichigt GmbH

Website

https://hofgut-eichigt.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hofgut Eichigt GmbH is a German organic farm and on-site dairy processor in Vogtland, Saxony, managing 1,200 dairy cows on 6,000 hectares. It produces fresh organic milk, dairy, cheese, oils, and honey under Bioland and Biokreis certifications, selling primarily through BioMärkte as part of the dennree Gruppe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organic Dairy and Food Production

NAICS

Dairy Cattle and Milk Production (11212), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Dairy Products (2020), Fats & Oils (2070)

akta.pro primary industry

Organic Dairy Cattle Farming (AFAEACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Manure & Nutrient Management (On-Farm) (AFAEACAH), Organic Dairy & Eggs Wholesale (AFAIAJAC)

Keywords

• Organic dairy farming
• Biological-dynamic agriculture
• Organic milk processing
• Animal welfare farming
• Precision agriculture

Headquarters

HQ city

Eichigt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fresh Organic Dairy Products: Fresh milk, cream, and dairy products processed on-site in the farm's own Bio-Hofmolkerei, sold under the Hofgut Eichigt brand through BioMärkte (organic supermarkets). Products reach retail shelves within one day of production.
2. Organic Cheese Products: Specialty cheese varieties produced by Biokäserei Wohlfahrt in Edelsfeld (Oberpfalz region) using Hofgut Eichigt milk. Sold through BioMärkte under the Hofgut Eichigt brand.
3. Plant-Based Oils (Sunflower and Rapeseed): Sunflower and rapeseed oils pressed by Ölmühle vfi from the farm's own raw materials. Distributed through BioMärkte.
4. Organic Honey: Honey harvested by Bio-Imkerei Frankenwälder Streuobsthof from bees foraging on Hofgut Eichigt's own fields, sold in BioMärkte.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hofgut Eichigt is an organic farming operation that produces fresh organic milk and dairy products on-site in its own Bio-Hofmolkerei, alongside plant-based products including honey, sunflower and rapeseed oils, and specialty cheese varieties produced by partner processors. All products carry Bioland and Biokreis organic certifications and are sold primarily through BioMärkte organic supermarkets in Germany. The company manages 1,200 dairy cows and 6,000 hectares of land using biological-dynamic farming methods, with products typically reaching retail shelves within one day of milking.

Product overview

Hofgut Eichigt is an organic farming operation that produces a portfolio of organic agricultural and dairy products. Their core offering includes fresh bio-milk processed on-site in their own Bio-Hofmolkerei, various dairy products, plant-based products including honey and vegetable items, and organic oils (sunflower and rapeseed) produced in partnership with Ölmühle vfi. Cheese products are made in collaboration with Biokäserei Wohlfahrt. All products carry organic certifications (DE-ÖKO-006, Bioland, Biokreis) and are sold through BioMarkt stores in the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hofgut Eichigt Bio-Milch (Organic Fresh Milk) Fresh organic milk produced on-farm and processed on-site in the company's own Bio-Hofmolkerei, available in BioMärkte stores typically within one day of production. Sold under the Hofgut Eichigt brand.
• Milchprodukte (Dairy Products) Various dairy products including milk, cream, and cheese varieties. Fresh milk and cream are processed in the company's own Bio-Hofmolkerei; cheese varieties are produced in partnership with Biokäeserei Wohlfahrt. Sold through BioMärkte.
• Organic Sunflower and Rapeseed Oil Organic sunflower and rapeseed oils pressed by partner Ölmühle vfi exclusively from Hofgut Eichigt's own raw materials, distributed through BioMärkte.
• Organic Honey Honey harvested by Bioland-certified mobile beekeeper Thorsten Franz from bees foraging on Hofgut Eichigt's organic fields. Two honey varieties are sold in BioMärkte.
• Organic Specialty Cheese Specialty cheese varieties produced by Biokäeserei Wohlfahrt in Edelsfeld (Oberpfalz) using Hofgut Eichigt milk, processed in a traditional handcraft manner. Sold under the Hofgut Eichigt brand through BioMärkte.

Quantifiable outcome

• Milk from milking to BioMärkte shelf within one day
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Helmholtz-Zentrum (VermiSoilBiome Project)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The Helmholtz Centre, in collaboration with other project partners, operates a worm composter (Wurmkomposter) on Hofgut Eichigt's land to research how a site-specific compost microbiome can be created, how it develops, and how beneficial substances can best be applied to agricultural areas.
• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (KalbAmmWohl Project)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Joint project with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Universität Kassel to improve cow-calf contact calf rearing practices. The project explores solutions such as additional heat plates for calves to accommodate different temperature preferences of cows and calves.
• TU Dresden / Margaritifera Restoration Alliance (MARA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Hofgut Eichigt supports TU Dresden, Sächsische Landesstiftung Natur und Umwelt (LaNU), and the Vogtlandkreis in promoting the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera). Hatchery-reared mussels are released at suitable stream sites in the Vogtland. The Hofgut team assists with habitat improvement measures such as sloping riverbanks.
• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Earthworm Monitoring)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Since the farm's conversion to organic agriculture, regular monitoring of earthworm species and populations in the soils has been conducted in partnership with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. The data supports evaluation of soil fertility and biodiversity.
• dennree GruppecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Since 2015, Hofgut Eichigt has been part of the dennree group. On the initiative of Thomas Greim (founder and managing director of dennree), the conversion to organic agriculture began just months after the purchase. The dennree group is a leading organic food company in Germany and serves as the parent company and key strategic partner.
• Biokäserei WohlfahrtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Biokäserei Wohlfahrt in Edelsfeld (Oberpfalz) produces specialty cheese varieties using Hofgut Eichigt milk. The artisanal cheese dairy processes milk in a traditional handcraft manner, creating distinctive cheese varieties with character. The partnership enables Hofgut Eichigt to extend its product range beyond on-farm processing capabilities.
• Bio-Imkerei Frankenwälder Streuobsthof (Thorsten Franz)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Bioland-certified mobile beekeeper Thorsten Franz manages beehives on Hofgut Eichigt's own fields. Bees collect nectar and pollen from the farm's organic land, and Thorsten Franz harvests and bottles the honey for Hofgut Eichigt. Two honey varieties are sold in BioMärkte.
• Ölmühle vficoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerÖlmühle vfi is the partner oil mill that presses sunflower and rapeseed oils exclusively from Hofgut Eichigt's own raw materials. The partnership ensures that Hofgut Eichigt's own oilseeds are processed into finished oils in best quality for the BioMärkte channel.
• Jens Schäffner (Agriculture Partner)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCrossbred cattle from Hofgut Eichigt are transferred to Jens Schäffner's farm (approximately 20 minutes from Hofgut Eichigt) after castration as pasture oxen and heifers. Jens Schäffner raises them to finishing weight on extensive pastures. The partnership has existed for several years.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Andechser Molkerei Scheitz: Bavarian Bioland-certified organic dairy producing milk and dairy products from regional organic farms. Comparable to Hofgut Eichigt in organic dairy focus, Bioland certification, and regional German supply chain.
• Gläserne Molkerei: German organic dairy with on-site, transparent processing of milk from regional organic farms, distributed via organic retail channels including BioMärkte. Closely comparable to Hofgut Eichigt's on-site Bio-Hofmolkerei model and organic positioning.
• Hofmeister: German dairy company focused on milk and dairy products distributed via German retail channels. Comparable to Hofgut Eichigt in dairy manufacturing and German supermarket distribution.
• Molkerei Söbbeke: German organic dairy producing a broad range of dairy products distributed through organic retail. Comparable to Hofgut Eichigt in organic dairy manufacturing and BioMärkte retail distribution.
• Berchtesgadener Land Molkerei: Bavarian regional dairy processor producing milk, butter, and cheese from alpine farms in southeast Germany. Comparable to Hofgut Eichigt in regional German dairy processing and retail distribution.
• Upländer Bauernmolkerei: Farmer-owned organic dairy in Hesse producing milk and dairy under organic certification. Comparable to Hofgut Eichigt in cooperative organic dairy positioning and on-farm-to-shelf philosophy.

Broad incumbents

• DMK Group: One of Germany's largest dairy cooperatives producing milk, cheese, and dairy ingredients across conventional and organic ranges. Comparable as broad incumbent in German dairy, though with different scale and channel mix.
• Arla Foods: Large European dairy cooperative producing conventional and organic milk and dairy products across multiple markets. Comparable to Hofgut Eichigt in dairy processing, though at vastly greater scale and broader portfolio.
• FrieslandCampina: Large international dairy cooperative producing milk, cheese, and dairy ingredients for European and global markets. Comparable as a broad incumbent in dairy processing and distribution, not focused on organic niche.

Others

• dennree Gruppe: Parent company of Hofgut Eichigt and a leading German organic food wholesaler and retailer (BioMärkte). Adjacent rather than competing — controls the primary distribution channel for Hofgut Eichigt products.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hofguteichigt
• Instagraminstagram.com/hofguteichigt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hofgut-eichigt-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hofgut Eichigt GmbH