History
Where it all started
Goodvalley was founded in 1994 with the belief that there had to be a way to successfully produce quality food with less impact on the environment by a group of Danish farmers
headed by Tom Axelgaard.
They recognized the potential in bringing Danish expertise in modern pig production to the newly independent countries emerging after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Poland was their choice, offering abundant high-quality farmland, an under-supplied pork market, and a well-educated workforce.
1994
With both knowledge, funds and support in place, Goodvalley purchases the first farm in Poland, with its infrastructure centred in the middle of a large cornfield to minimise feed transportation. This is in accordance with the vision that all core competencies should be integrated in one place to increase sustainability
and minimise environmental impact.
1999
In 1999 Goodvalley decides to move further up the value chain acquiring a slaughterhouse in the close vicinity of the farms, thereby laying the foundation for a fully integrated field-to-fork business model.
2004
Wishing to put its positive experience from the Polish market to use elsewhere, Goodvalley once again decides to pursue the idea of local production in an undersupplied market with an expansion into Ukraine in 2004.
2005
Goodvalley’s first biogas plant opens in Poland, fulfilling the ambition of creating an integrated, sustainable farming model. The biogas plant secures responsible handling of the pig manure, slaughter waste and other production waste, and produces green energy in the process.
The energy is sold to the Polish grid and used for heating Goodvalley’s farms. By 2011 Goodvalley has 8 biogas plants in Poland making it the biggest producer of agricultural biogas in Poland.
2011
Goodvalley commissions its first biogas plant in Ukraine.
2014
Goodvalley is awarded for being a first mover in climate-friendly production at the Transformational Business Award held by The Financial Times and The World Bank.
2016
The next step was to extend the responsible approach to high-quality products. In 2016, Goodvalley launched its first branded pork products.
2019
Goodvalley shifts to recycled – and recyclable – packaging of the group’s products.
2022
Goodvalley’s products are rebranded to “Dolina Dobra” which means good valley in Polish to better suit the Polish market.
2024
Goodvalley is proudly celebrating two major milestones: 20 years in Ukraine and 30 years in Poland.
These anniversaries reflect decades of commitment to sustainable farming, innovation, and delivering top-quality products.