GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Netherlands Agriculture Statistics: Market Report & Data

Highlights: Netherlands Agriculture Statistics

  • The Netherlands is the world's second-largest exporter of food and agricultural products, after the USA.
  • The Netherlands accounts for more than 25% of global trade in ornamental plants and flowers.
  • The Netherlands is home to around 53,000 farms.
  • In 2020, around 1.9 billion kg of potatoes were processed into chips, fries, and other potato products in the Netherlands.
  • The Dutch agri-food complex accounted for 9.4% of total employment in the Netherlands in 2020.
  • The Netherlands is the world's largest exporter of cheese, with a volume of 805 million KG in 2020.
  • In 2020, the contribution of the agricultural sector to the total GDP of the Netherlands was 1.6%.
  • Agriculture in the Netherlands occupies about 54% of the total land area.
  • The Netherlands accounts for 16.4% of the world’s agricultural trading.
  • The Netherlands is home to over 4,150 organic farms.
  • The Netherlands is the largest producer of onions and tomatoes in the European Union.
  • The total value of Dutch agriculture exports was approximately €95.5 billion in 2020.
  • The Netherlands produced 1,688 million kg of poultry meat in 2020.
  • Approximately 79% of dutch farms utilize digital technology.
  • There were 626,000 head of dairy cows in the Netherlands producing milk in 2021.
  • The Dutch agricultural sector emitted 26.3 million tons of CO2 equivalents in 2018.
  • The Netherlands has the highest agricultural productivity in the world.
  • The horticulture sector in the Netherlands achieved a production value of €9 billion in 2020.

Our Newsletter

The Business Week In Data

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!

Table of Contents

Welcome to an extensive journey through the verdant fields of the Netherlands, as we delve into the rich world of Netherlands’ agriculture statistics. Despite being a relatively small country, the Netherlands houses one of the world’s most intensely farmed landscapes, ranking as the globe’s second-largest exporter of agricultural produce. In this blog post, we will navigate through the Dutch agricultural sector’s significant figures, comprehending its vastness, efficiency, and its paramount contribution to the Dutch economy. Join us as we unearth insights that reflect on the country’s innovative farming methods, diverse agricultural production, and environmental commitments, all revealed through the power of statistical data.

The Latest Netherlands Agriculture Statistics Unveiled

The Netherlands is the world’s second-largest exporter of food and agricultural products, after the USA.

Highlighting the fact that the Netherlands ranks as the world’s second-largest exporter of food and agricultural products, barely surpassed by the USA, bolsters the significance of their role in the global food economy within the blog post’s narrative concerning Netherlands agriculture statistics. This quantitative assertion underlines the achievement of a geographically small country using innovative agricultural methodology, highly-productive farming practices, and technological advancement to not only serve a national demand but contribute remarkably to global food networks too. By all means, this encapsulating fact sets a vital context for readers to appreciate the magnitude of the Netherlands’ agricultural prowess.

The Netherlands accounts for more than 25% of global trade in ornamental plants and flowers.

Underscoring the prowess of the Netherlands in the global agricultural landscape, an impressive marker showcases the country accounting for a whopping 25% of global trade in ornamental plants and flowers. This vividly paints a picture of the Netherlands’ significant role and influence on the worldwide horticulture stage, as underpinned by its robust and sophisticated farming and trade infrastructures. Market domination to such an extent is a testament to the resilience, innovation, and effectiveness of Dutch agricultural practices, making it an indisputable titan in the realm of global agriculture.

The Netherlands is home to around 53,000 farms.

Drawing attention to the impressively dense agricultural foundation of The Netherlands, the sheer figure of approximately 53,000 farms reveals an agricultural mini-world pulsating within the country’s confines. It underscores not only the significant role that farming plays in the Dutch economy, but also hints towards a rich tapestry of diversity among these farms, from vast tulip fields to dairy herds. Its weight magnifies the potential implications for trade, environmental management, food security, and the rural landscape, thereby making it a key pivot point for any informed discussion relating to Dutch Agriculture.

In 2020, around 1.9 billion kg of potatoes were processed into chips, fries, and other potato products in the Netherlands.

Spotlighting the gargantuan figure of 1.9 billion kg of potatoes processed into various products in the Netherlands in 2020, we unearth an insightful look into the sheer strength and scale of Dutch agriculture. This grand metric not only celebrates the extraordinary yield and efficient use of the humble potato, but it also underscores the Netherlands’ status as a formidable player in global food production and supply. For an ostensibly small country, these numbers tell a tale of advanced farming practices, innovative agricultural technology, and economic influence, making them crucial for understanding the landscape of Netherlands’ agricultural sector.

The Dutch agri-food complex accounted for 9.4% of total employment in the Netherlands in 2020.

The ripple effect of the Dutch agri-food complex, accounting for 9.4% of total employment in the Netherlands in 2020, fleshes out several intriguing facets of the narrative around Netherlands Agriculture Statistics. The stat alone conducts a symphony of insight, revealing the centrality of agri-business in sculpting the Dutch labor landscape. It impresses upon us the sector’s power as a job-creation engine and reinforces its role as a cornerstone of the Dutch economy. With nearly one in every ten workers contributing to this industry, it underscores the interdependence between the Netherlands’ economic prosperity and the vibrancy of its agri-food complex. This snapshot of significance invites readers to further explore the scale and influence of this critical sector.

The Netherlands is the world’s largest exporter of cheese, with a volume of 805 million KG in 2020.

Highlighting the figure of 805 million KG cheese exports by the Netherlands in 2020 underscores the nation’s leading role in global dairy production amidst the manifold dimensions of Netherlands agriculture. In the canvas of the blog post, this statistic resonates not just as a testament to the country’s cheese-making prowess but also as an indication of its agricultural efficiency, livestock quality, and trade collaborations. Hence, it becomes a vital touchpoint, threading the narrative of the nation’s agricultural landscape and trade success fueled by cheese exports.

In 2020, the contribution of the agricultural sector to the total GDP of the Netherlands was 1.6%.

Diving right into the heart of Dutch agriculture, we find that the contribution of this vital sector to the Netherlands’ total GDP was a modest 1.6% in 2020. While this figure might seem slight at first glance, it operates as a subtle key to a larger narrative: underscoring the economic landscape of the country, highlighting the efficiency of the Dutch agribusiness model despite occupying a small share of the GDP pie, and giving a sense of scale to an industry that feeds millions beyond its borders. This statistic serves as the essential context required to accurately navigate the fertile terrain of Netherlands Agriculture Statistics, providing us insights into the unsung hero of the Dutch economy.

Agriculture in the Netherlands occupies about 54% of the total land area.

The compelling proportion of land devoted to agriculture in the Netherlands, standing at a robust 54%, holds noteworthy weight in a blog post centered on Netherlands Agriculture Statistics. This not only accentuates the immense impact that agriculture has on the physical landscape but also strongly indicates the sector’s key role within the Dutch economy. It offers a glimpse into the unique identity of the Netherlands, where technical innovation and environmental sustainability blend seamlessly into one, molding the fields and pastures that paint well over half the country’s terrain.

The Netherlands accounts for 16.4% of the world’s agricultural trading.

Taking a farmer’s view of a ‘flat world’, the statistic you just chewed on – a bountiful 16.4% share of global agricultural trading credited to the Netherlands – paints a vivid image of this small nation’s verdant capability. Dancing across the global stage with an unanticipated grandeur, this compact country impressively twists and pirouettes in the intricate ballet of agricultural commerce. This serves as compelling proof of the profound impact and role the Netherlands plays in supplying a hungry planet, underpinning the discussion featured in our blog on the vitality and significance of Dutch Agriculture Statistics. Your appreciation for tulips and cheese may just bloom into admiration for their stellar performance on this unexpected platform.

The Netherlands is home to over 4,150 organic farms.

Highlighting the figure of 4,150 organic farms in the Netherlands offers an illuminating snapshot into the nation’s commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices. This impressive number not only demonstrates a thriving sector in the national economy, but also denotes the Dutch farmers’ recognition of biodiversity and environmental protection efforts. Against the backdrop of global environmental concerns, these statistics position the Netherlands as a leader in organic farming, symbolising an innovative, forward-looking approach in agriculture that harmonizes economic growth, environmental health and food quality.

The Netherlands is the largest producer of onions and tomatoes in the European Union.

Painting a vivid picture of Netherlands’ agricultural prominence, this statistic highlights its leading role in the EU’s production of onions and tomatoes. It serves as a testament to the country’s proficient farming techniques, optimization of available farmland, and effective supply chain, rendering it a key contributor to the European food market. Harnessing this data, readers are invited to envisage the substantial impact of the Netherlands’ agricultural sector, not only on its economy but also on the dietary landscape of the entire European Union.

The total value of Dutch agriculture exports was approximately €95.5 billion in 2020.

The sizable export value of €95.5 billion of Dutch agriculture in 2020 offers a fascinating insight into the immense role that agriculture plays in the economic fabric of the Netherlands. This figure, in essence, reaffirms the country’s stature as a prominent global powerhouse in agricultural trading, underscoring the strength and sustainability of its farming traditions and innovative practices. Not only is it a reflection of high economic productivity, but it also indicates the effects of robust industry strategies and contributing factors such as advanced technology and efficient logistics that come into play in making Dutch agriculture a remarkable success story, contextualizing the discussion in a blog post about Netherlands agriculture statistics.

The Netherlands produced 1,688 million kg of poultry meat in 2020.

Diving into the profound essence of Netherlands Agriculture Statistics, the revelation of its poultry meat production standing at 1,688 million kg in 2020 holds significant connotations. This overwhelming figure not only exemplifies the robustness of the poultry sector but also in a broader perspective, underscores the agricultural dynamism of the country. By shedding light on this statistic, one can gauge the magnitude of the Netherlands’ contribution to global poultry supply, as well as the reach of their agricultural expertise and efficiency, thus accentuating the country’s pivotal role in the world’s food chain.

Approximately 79% of dutch farms utilize digital technology.

In the vibrant panorama of Netherlands Agriculture, the illustration that approximately 79% of Dutch farms are harnessing digital technology serves as a compelling testament to the sector’s responsiveness to modernization and technological innovation. This percentage, far from a mere numerical detail, illuminates the progressive stride Dutch agriculture is taking up in the embrace of digitization for efficient, sustainable farming operations. It highlights how the Netherlands, despite being a small country, is a bustling hotbed of agricultural innovation, fostering precision farming and cutting-edge technologies to address food production and sustainability issues. This reflection cements the importance of digital technology as a transformative power, underlining the stepping stones Dutch agriculture is laying in the direction of future oriented farming.

There were 626,000 head of dairy cows in the Netherlands producing milk in 2021.

Revealing the 626,000 dairy cows producing milk in the Netherlands in 2021 doesn’t just offer a snapshot of the nation’s bovine population—it paints an industrious portrait of the Dutch agricultural landscape. The statistic vividly manifests the Netherlands’ dominant status in dairying and demonstrates the weight of the dairy sector in the nation’s agro-economy. Furthermore, it hints at the innovative agritech and sustainable farming practices adopted to manage such a substantial inventory sustainably. Thus, it’s not just a digit; it’s a testament to the significant role the Netherlands plays in global milk production, anchored heavily within agricultural innovations, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability.

The Dutch agricultural sector emitted 26.3 million tons of CO2 equivalents in 2018.

Highlighting the emission of 26.3 million tons of CO2 equivalents by the Dutch agricultural sector in 2018 paints a compelling picture of the tremendous environmental impact associated with agriculture in the Netherlands. In balancing the narrative of the Netherlands as an agricultural powerhouse, this figure serves as a potent reminder that the success story is imbued with substantial environmental implications. With intense global attention on reducing greenhouse gases to combat climate change, this statistic underscores the critical role that a sustainable transformation within the Dutch farming sector could play in global efforts to reduce carbon emissions – transforming a narrative of concern into one of potential empowerment and innovation.

The Netherlands has the highest agricultural productivity in the world.

Illuminating the strength and efficiency of the Dutch farming sector, the noteworthy statistic of the Netherlands having the world’s highest agricultural productivity acts as the cornerstone of understanding Netherlands Agriculture Statistics. This fact reveals the nation’s outstanding aptitude in fine-tuning and optimizing agricultural operations, yielding more with less – less land, less water, less energy. Moreover, it underscores the implication that the Netherlands isn’t merely a major player, but the leading light in innovative, sustainable, and high-yield farming globally – a critical perspective within any in-depth discussion on the subject matter.

The horticulture sector in the Netherlands achieved a production value of €9 billion in 2020.

Heralding the potency of the Dutch green fingers, the robust statistic of a whopping €9 billion production value from the horticulture sector in 2020 serves as a testament to the vigour of Dutch agriculture. Gleaming amidst agricultural statistics, it echoes Netherlands’ advanced and effective farming practices, cutting-edge technology, and intensive agricultural knowledge that catapults its tiny geographical profile onto the world map as a global agricultural powerhouse. This vivid statistic not only underscores the sector’s economic vitality but also paints a verdant image of the future of Dutch agriculture painting an impressive portrait of what this compact country achieves with just a little land.

Conclusion

The agriculture industry in the Netherlands exhibits remarkable efficiency and productivity, as indicated by its robust statistical data. A significant contributor to the GDP, the industry has successfully leveraged technology, leading to higher food production and quality. Importantly, it stands as a beacon of sustainability with a low environmental impact compared to global averages. Yet, challenges persist in the face of evolving climate change and environmental concerns. Nonetheless, the Netherlands agriculture industry, with its continuous advancements, has carved out an impressive global status according to the statistics.

References

0. – https://www.www.agrimatie.nl

1. – https://www.www.holland.com

2. – https://www.www.wur.nl

3. – https://www.agfundernews.com

4. – https://www.www.rabobank.com

5. – https://www.www.government.nl

6. – https://www.www.europarl.europa.eu

7. – https://www.www.cbs.nl

8. – https://www.www.rijksoverheid.nl

FAQs

What is the most important crop in Netherlands Agriculture?

The Netherlands is famous for its flower industry, particularly tulips. However, in terms of food crops, potatoes are the most important crop, followed by wheat and sugar beets.

What role does the agriculture sector play in the Dutch economy?

The agricultural sector plays a major role in the Dutch economy, accounting for around 1.6% of the country's GDP and employing around 2% of the workforce. The Netherlands is also the second-largest exporter of food by value, behind the United States.

How sustainable is farming in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is known for its innovative and sustainable farming practices. The country constantly works on making farming more efficient and less harmful to the environment, and promotes circular agriculture which focuses on recycling of resources.

How does the Netherlands maintain its high level of agricultural productivity?

The Netherlands maintains its high agricultural productivity by embracing modern technologies in farming. The country also conducts extensive research in plant genetics and contributes significantly to innovations in seed development.

What is the impact of climate change on Netherlands Agriculture?

Climate change poses a significant threat to Netherlands agriculture. Increasing temperatures, sea level rises, and changes in precipitation patterns could impact crop yields. However, Dutch farmers are adopting innovative strategies, including precision farming and vertical farming, to combat these challenges.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

Table of Contents

... Before You Leave, Catch This! 🔥

Your next business insight is just a subscription away. Our newsletter The Week in Data delivers the freshest statistics and trends directly to you. Stay informed, stay ahead—subscribe now.

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!