nature

Agro, Food & Technology

Holland is world-leading exporter of agri-food products

The Netherlands is well known for its entrepreneurship and academic research on agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, water and food technology. World leaders in markets of food products and technology, machinery and equipment have their origin and base in the Netherlands.

The Dutch agricultural sector is diverse; it covers a wide range of livestock and plant-cultivation sectors that include, for example, arable and dairy farming, cultivation under glass, tree-growing and pig farming.

Key aspects

  • The Dutch agricultural sector benefits from Holland’s mild climate, flat and fertile soil and favourable geographical location at the heart of Europe.
  • Expertise, infrastructure, the food processing industry, commerce and logistics are all on an extremely high level in the Netherlands.
  • For decades, Dutch agriculture has succeeded in maintaining its lead over international competitors by continually investing in the renewal of agricultural production chains.
  • Farmers and growers are full partners in the agricultural production chain. Their primary task is to produce food, flowers and plants with an optimum price/quality radio using innovative, socially responsible and sustainable methods.
  • Despite tight profit margins, agricultural businesses have invested substantially in environmental protection and implemented improvements in animal welfare
  • Holland is the world’s 2nd largest exporter of agricultural products, after the USA. Together with the USA and France, Holland is one of the top 3 exporters of vegetables and fruit.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Netherlands is responsible for the world’s potato exports. 22%
The agricultural sector makes up of the Dutch economy 10%
More than half of the Netherlands' total land is used as farmland 52%
Used for arable and horticultural crops 56%
Permanent grassland 42%
Permanent Crops 2%

Source: Statistics Netherlands (CBS), Dutch Federation of Agricultural and Horticultural Organisations (LTO), Wageningen University and Research Centre (2012), through www.hollandtrade.com

Strengths of the Netherlands

  1. Genetics
  2. Water and Agri-Food / Horticulture
  3. Harvesting and Article harvest handling
  4. Hi-tech systems in food technologies
  5. Food Processing and technology

Interesting Links