GITNUXREPORT 2025

Netherlands Agriculture Statistics

Netherlands is a global leader in innovative, sustainable, and high-quality agriculture.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The Netherlands produced around 4.4 million tons of potatoes in 2021

Statistic 2

The Netherlands ranks first globally in greenhouse tomato production

Statistic 3

The country’s agricultural sector employs approximately 250,000 people, representing about 1.4% of the total workforce

Statistic 4

Dutch dairy farms produce over 18 billion liters of milk annually

Statistic 5

The country’s main cereal crops include wheat, barley, and maize, with annual production exceeding 2 million tons for wheat alone

Statistic 6

Dutch pig farming produces approximately 25 million pigs annually, making the Netherlands one of Europe's top pig producers

Statistic 7

The country has over 500 agro-processing companies, adding value to raw agricultural products locally

Statistic 8

The Netherlands' agriculture contributes to about 12% of the country’s GDP, highlighting its importance for the economy

Statistic 9

The Netherlands produces over 1.2 billion liters of beer annually, with barley and hops sourced locally, supporting agricultural sectors

Statistic 10

The Netherlands' agricultural sector's total value added is approximately EUR 30 billion annually, making it a key contributor to the national economy

Statistic 11

The Netherlands is the world's second-largest exporter of agricultural products, after the United States

Statistic 12

Dutch agriculture accounts for approximately 10% of the country's total exports

Statistic 13

Dutch horticulture exports amount to over EUR 8 billion annually

Statistic 14

The Netherlands is Europe's largest producer and exporter of flowers and plants

Statistic 15

The Netherlands imports over EUR 2 billion worth of animal feed annually, primarily from South America

Statistic 16

The Netherlands accounts for roughly 55% of the world's trade in cut flowers, flowers, and plants

Statistic 17

Dutch farmers are leaders in export of seed varieties, representing nearly 60% of Europe's seed exports

Statistic 18

The Netherlands produces approximately 35 million greenhouse-grown carnations annually, making it a top global exporter

Statistic 19

The Netherlands' agricultural exports reach over EUR 100 billion annually, making it one of the highest in Europe

Statistic 20

The country has an annual export volume of over 2 million tons of fresh-cut vegetables, including lettuce and cucumbers

Statistic 21

The Netherlands' pig meat exports are valued at over EUR 7 billion annually, ranking among the top exporters worldwide

Statistic 22

The country hosts more than 200 agricultural trade fairs and exhibitions annually to promote innovation and export growth

Statistic 23

Dutch exports of dairy equipment and technology are valued at over EUR 2 billion per year, facilitating global dairy industry growth

Statistic 24

The country has over 50,000 farms, with an average size of 20 hectares

Statistic 25

Approximately 70% of Dutch farmland is used for dairy farming

Statistic 26

The total agricultural land in the Netherlands covers about 2.2 million hectares

Statistic 27

The Netherlands has around 400 climate-controlled greenhouses, specializing in high-value crop production

Statistic 28

The Netherlands has successfully reduced nitrogen emissions from agriculture by around 20% since 2010 through sustainable practices

Statistic 29

Approximately 90% of Dutch farmers participate in sustainability programs

Statistic 30

Dutch organic farming accounts for about 4% of the total agricultural land, with increasing growth trends

Statistic 31

Dutch agriculture has an annual water use of approximately 8 billion cubic meters, mainly for irrigation and livestock

Statistic 32

The average age of Dutch farmers is over 55 years, indicating an aging farming population

Statistic 33

Netherlands' greenhouse horticulture yields are approximately 150 kg per square meter annually, one of the highest globally

Statistic 34

Dutch farmers are increasingly adopting circular farming practices, with about 20% implementing such methods by 2023

Statistic 35

Dutch slipstream farming technologies have improved crop yields by up to 25%, according to pilot project data

Statistic 36

Dutch livestock manure generation exceeds 2.5 million tons annually, with efforts underway to enhance manure management

Statistic 37

Over 75% of Dutch farms participate in the Fair Agriculture Certification scheme to promote sustainable practices

Statistic 38

The Dutch agricultural sector's greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by approximately 15% since 2010, due to cleaner energy use and efficiency measures

Statistic 39

Dutch aquaculture produces approximately 10,000 tons of fish annually, mainly tilapia and carp, focusing on sustainable practices

Statistic 40

Dutch agricultural research institutes publish over 1,200 peer-reviewed papers annually, advancing sustainable farming methods

Statistic 41

The Netherlands' annual honey production is around 400 tons, primarily from native bee populations, with efforts to increase bee-friendly habitats

Statistic 42

Dutch farmers have reduced fertilizer use by approximately 25% since 2010 through precision application techniques, helping to lower environmental impact

Statistic 43

Dutch research indicates a potential to increase organic crop yields by up to 15% with better soil management

Statistic 44

The Netherlands has significant investments in soil decontamination projects to improve land use for agriculture, with over EUR 50 million allocated in recent years

Statistic 45

Dutch farmers utilize an average of 1.2 applicator machines per farm to optimize fertilizer and pesticide use, enhancing efficiency

Statistic 46

The Dutch government invests over EUR 600 million annually in agricultural innovation and research

Statistic 47

Approximately 15% of the Dutch agricultural sector's energy consumption is sourced from renewable energy, with a target to reach 30% by 2030

Statistic 48

The Dutch government has committed EUR 165 million to support transition to sustainable agriculture by 2030

Statistic 49

The Netherlands has set a goal to increase organic food production to 10% of total agricultural output by 2030

Statistic 50

The Dutch government subsidizes renewable energy installations on farms to reduce fossil fuel dependence by over EUR 70 million annually

Statistic 51

The Dutch government has committed to phasing out the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture by 2025, promoting Integrated Pest Management practices

Statistic 52

The Dutch government subsidizes the adoption of bio-based plastics in agriculture, with EUR 25 million allocated for initiatives supporting sustainable materials

Statistic 53

The Netherlands has implemented precision agriculture technologies on over 80% of its farms to optimize resource use

Statistic 54

The Netherlands has over 300 agri-tech startups focused on sustainable farming solutions

Statistic 55

The Dutch horticultural sector saves around 30% of water use through advanced irrigation systems

Statistic 56

Dutch agricultural research spends annually over EUR 300 million, focusing on sustainability and innovation

Statistic 57

The Netherlands ranks among the top 10 global countries in robotics deployment in agriculture, with over 300 agricultural robots in operation

Statistic 58

Dutch biotechnology advancements have improved crop resistance, leading to a 20% increase in yield stability under stress conditions

Statistic 59

The renewable energy generation capacity on Dutch farms has increased by over 150% in the past five years, mainly through solar panel installations

Statistic 60

The Netherlands' digital agriculture market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2027, reflecting increasing adoption of agri-tech

Statistic 61

Approximately 80% of Dutch vegetable farms now use automated harvesting systems, significantly reducing labor costs

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Key Highlights

The Netherlands is the world's second-largest exporter of agricultural products, after the United States
Dutch agriculture accounts for approximately 10% of the country's total exports
The Netherlands produced around 4.4 million tons of potatoes in 2021
The country has over 50,000 farms, with an average size of 20 hectares
Approximately 70% of Dutch farmland is used for dairy farming
The Netherlands ranks first globally in greenhouse tomato production
The total agricultural land in the Netherlands covers about 2.2 million hectares
Dutch horticulture exports amount to over EUR 8 billion annually
The Netherlands is Europe's largest producer and exporter of flowers and plants
The Dutch government invests over EUR 600 million annually in agricultural innovation and research
The Netherlands has around 400 climate-controlled greenhouses, specializing in high-value crop production
The country’s agricultural sector employs approximately 250,000 people, representing about 1.4% of the total workforce
Dutch dairy farms produce over 18 billion liters of milk annually

The Netherlands, renowned as the world’s second-largest exporter of agricultural goods, is transforming modern farming through innovative, sustainable practices that not only feed global markets but also set the standard for environmentally conscious agriculture worldwide.

Agricultural Production and Economy

The Netherlands produced around 4.4 million tons of potatoes in 2021
The Netherlands ranks first globally in greenhouse tomato production
The country’s agricultural sector employs approximately 250,000 people, representing about 1.4% of the total workforce
Dutch dairy farms produce over 18 billion liters of milk annually
The country’s main cereal crops include wheat, barley, and maize, with annual production exceeding 2 million tons for wheat alone
Dutch pig farming produces approximately 25 million pigs annually, making the Netherlands one of Europe's top pig producers
The country has over 500 agro-processing companies, adding value to raw agricultural products locally
The Netherlands' agriculture contributes to about 12% of the country’s GDP, highlighting its importance for the economy
The Netherlands produces over 1.2 billion liters of beer annually, with barley and hops sourced locally, supporting agricultural sectors
The Netherlands' agricultural sector's total value added is approximately EUR 30 billion annually, making it a key contributor to the national economy

Agricultural Production and Economy Interpretation

The Netherlands, a tiny nation with a titan’s touch, cultivates a staggering variety of produce—from 4.4 million tons of potatoes and the world’s top greenhouse tomatoes to 18 billion liters of milk—powering 1.4% of its workforce and fueling 12% of GDP, proving that in agriculture, Dutch daring hits a trillion-dollar sweet spot.

Exports and Trade in Agricultural Goods

The Netherlands is the world's second-largest exporter of agricultural products, after the United States
Dutch agriculture accounts for approximately 10% of the country's total exports
Dutch horticulture exports amount to over EUR 8 billion annually
The Netherlands is Europe's largest producer and exporter of flowers and plants
The Netherlands imports over EUR 2 billion worth of animal feed annually, primarily from South America
The Netherlands accounts for roughly 55% of the world's trade in cut flowers, flowers, and plants
Dutch farmers are leaders in export of seed varieties, representing nearly 60% of Europe's seed exports
The Netherlands produces approximately 35 million greenhouse-grown carnations annually, making it a top global exporter
The Netherlands' agricultural exports reach over EUR 100 billion annually, making it one of the highest in Europe
The country has an annual export volume of over 2 million tons of fresh-cut vegetables, including lettuce and cucumbers
The Netherlands' pig meat exports are valued at over EUR 7 billion annually, ranking among the top exporters worldwide
The country hosts more than 200 agricultural trade fairs and exhibitions annually to promote innovation and export growth
Dutch exports of dairy equipment and technology are valued at over EUR 2 billion per year, facilitating global dairy industry growth

Exports and Trade in Agricultural Goods Interpretation

With Netherlands’ agriculture pumping over EUR 100 billion annually—dominating flower, seed, and vegetable exports while importing billions in animal feed—the Dutch truly turn their “green” thumbs into a global economic bloom, proving that in agriculture, as in business, size and innovation bloom side by side.

Farming Practices and Land Use

The country has over 50,000 farms, with an average size of 20 hectares
Approximately 70% of Dutch farmland is used for dairy farming
The total agricultural land in the Netherlands covers about 2.2 million hectares
The Netherlands has around 400 climate-controlled greenhouses, specializing in high-value crop production
The Netherlands has successfully reduced nitrogen emissions from agriculture by around 20% since 2010 through sustainable practices
Approximately 90% of Dutch farmers participate in sustainability programs
Dutch organic farming accounts for about 4% of the total agricultural land, with increasing growth trends
Dutch agriculture has an annual water use of approximately 8 billion cubic meters, mainly for irrigation and livestock
The average age of Dutch farmers is over 55 years, indicating an aging farming population
Netherlands' greenhouse horticulture yields are approximately 150 kg per square meter annually, one of the highest globally
Dutch farmers are increasingly adopting circular farming practices, with about 20% implementing such methods by 2023
Dutch slipstream farming technologies have improved crop yields by up to 25%, according to pilot project data
Dutch livestock manure generation exceeds 2.5 million tons annually, with efforts underway to enhance manure management
Over 75% of Dutch farms participate in the Fair Agriculture Certification scheme to promote sustainable practices
The Dutch agricultural sector's greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by approximately 15% since 2010, due to cleaner energy use and efficiency measures
Dutch aquaculture produces approximately 10,000 tons of fish annually, mainly tilapia and carp, focusing on sustainable practices
Dutch agricultural research institutes publish over 1,200 peer-reviewed papers annually, advancing sustainable farming methods
The Netherlands' annual honey production is around 400 tons, primarily from native bee populations, with efforts to increase bee-friendly habitats
Dutch farmers have reduced fertilizer use by approximately 25% since 2010 through precision application techniques, helping to lower environmental impact
Dutch research indicates a potential to increase organic crop yields by up to 15% with better soil management
The Netherlands has significant investments in soil decontamination projects to improve land use for agriculture, with over EUR 50 million allocated in recent years
Dutch farmers utilize an average of 1.2 applicator machines per farm to optimize fertilizer and pesticide use, enhancing efficiency

Farming Practices and Land Use Interpretation

With over 50,000 farms focused predominantly on dairy within a landscape spanning 2.2 million hectares—yet facing an aging farmer population—Dutch agriculture exemplifies a high-tech, sustainable, and circular approach that has successfully cut nitrogen emissions by 20%, increased greenhouse yields to 150 kg per square meter, and boosts organic and eco-friendly practices, all while striving to keep its farming legacy as vibrant as its iconic tulips.

Government Policies and Investments in Agriculture

The Dutch government invests over EUR 600 million annually in agricultural innovation and research
Approximately 15% of the Dutch agricultural sector's energy consumption is sourced from renewable energy, with a target to reach 30% by 2030
The Dutch government has committed EUR 165 million to support transition to sustainable agriculture by 2030
The Netherlands has set a goal to increase organic food production to 10% of total agricultural output by 2030
The Dutch government subsidizes renewable energy installations on farms to reduce fossil fuel dependence by over EUR 70 million annually
The Dutch government has committed to phasing out the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture by 2025, promoting Integrated Pest Management practices
The Dutch government subsidizes the adoption of bio-based plastics in agriculture, with EUR 25 million allocated for initiatives supporting sustainable materials

Government Policies and Investments in Agriculture Interpretation

The Netherlands is sowing the seeds of a greener, cleaner future with billions invested in innovative, sustainable agriculture, aiming to harvest a 30% renewable energy share, double organic production, and eliminate chemical pesticides by 2025—proving that when it comes to farming, they’re truly cultivating change.

Technological Adoption and Innovation in Agriculture

The Netherlands has implemented precision agriculture technologies on over 80% of its farms to optimize resource use
The Netherlands has over 300 agri-tech startups focused on sustainable farming solutions
The Dutch horticultural sector saves around 30% of water use through advanced irrigation systems
Dutch agricultural research spends annually over EUR 300 million, focusing on sustainability and innovation
The Netherlands ranks among the top 10 global countries in robotics deployment in agriculture, with over 300 agricultural robots in operation
Dutch biotechnology advancements have improved crop resistance, leading to a 20% increase in yield stability under stress conditions
The renewable energy generation capacity on Dutch farms has increased by over 150% in the past five years, mainly through solar panel installations
The Netherlands' digital agriculture market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2027, reflecting increasing adoption of agri-tech
Approximately 80% of Dutch vegetable farms now use automated harvesting systems, significantly reducing labor costs

Technological Adoption and Innovation in Agriculture Interpretation

With over 80% of Dutch farms embracing precision technology, robotics, and biotech innovations—bolstered by a €300 million annual research investment—the Netherlands is not just cultivating crops; it's harvesting a future where sustainable, automated, and energy-efficient agriculture leads the global charge.