ILVO Vlaanderen

ILVO, the Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food Research, is an independent scientific research centre of the Flemish government. It works on the sustainability of agriculture, fisheries and the agro-food sector, primarily in Flanders but also more broadly in Belgium, Europe and internationally. The institute combines multidisciplinary, independent and applied research to help produce enough healthy and varied food within planetary boundaries. Its work supports product and process improvement, quality and safety control, and better policy instruments for sector development and rural policy. ILVO positions itself as a knowledge centre that connects technical expertise with socio-economic insight, system thinking and co-creation. ILVO serves a wide range of stakeholders across the agro-food chain: farmers, fishers, aquaculture actors, food processors, technology providers, policymakers and other public or non-profit actors. Its research is organised around four units: Plant, Animal, Technology & Food, and Agriculture & Society. Core Values Independence : ILVO stresses objective, impartial and scientifically grounded research, with integrity as a core principle in both research and organisational conduct. Sustainability : The institute’s mission is explicitly tied to making food production more sustainable and socially responsible within planetary boundaries. Cooperation : Collaboration with stakeholders, policymakers, companies and research partners is central to ILVO’s way of working, especially through living labs and co-creation. Professionalism : ILVO highlights professional, proactive and positive behaviour, supported by a culture of trust and accountability. System thinking : The organisation approaches agro-food challenges as interconnected systems rather than isolated issues, integrating technical and socio-economic perspectives. Unique Aspects Flemish government research institute : ILVO is an independent scientific centre of the Flemish government, giving it a public-interest mandate in agriculture, fisheries and food research. Broad, integrated research scope : Few institutes combine plant, animal, food technology, marine research and socio-economic analysis under one roof, which allows ILVO to address the agro-food chain end to end. Extensive infrastructure footprint : ILVO operates across 10 sites and has 220 ha of trial fields, more than 15,000 m² of trial greenhouses, more than 20,000 m² of trial stables, 40+ laboratories and a Food Pilot with more than 50 semi-industrial units. Living lab model : ILVO uses living labs as a structured co-creation format to test innovations with end users in relevant practice environments, improving uptake and implementation. Strong marine and bio-economy capabilities : The institute combines marine research, aquaculture, precision fisheries and bio-economy expertise with plant, soil and food-processing capabilities. Accredited analytical services : ILVO’s laboratory services include BELAC-accredited and other recognised analyses, which strengthens its role as a trusted technical partner for industry and public actors.