In 2023, the Netherlands food and beverage sector ran 5,400 active RFID linked supply chain tracking deployments. The same industry also generated 1.2 million tonnes of food waste in 2022. Food spending across the country rose 27.2% in nominal terms from 2022 to 2023, changing both demand and cost pressures.
Key Takeaways
- 1,112 food-processing and related manufacturing establishments in the Netherlands in 2022, based on CBS establishment counts
- €4.2 trillion EU27 household expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages in 2023, placing the Netherlands within the broader EU demand base for food products
- €1.3 billion Netherlands value of food and beverage exports to China in 2023, demonstrating growth potential in Asia
- 2.1% of Netherlands GDP from agriculture, forestry, and fishing in 2023, providing context for the broader Dutch agri-food base
- 6.3% Netherlands employment share in agriculture & food-related sectors in 2023, showing labor intensity within the agri-food value chain
- 1.2 million tonnes of food waste generated in the Netherlands in 2022, indicating scale for prevention and valorization
- 5,400 active RFID-linked supply-chain tracking deployments in the Netherlands food and beverage sector in 2023, reflecting broader traceability adoption
- 19% of Dutch consumers reported buying meat alternatives at least monthly in 2023, showing behavior change in protein purchasing
- 16% share of total grocery sales captured by e-commerce in the Netherlands in 2023, showing significant digital penetration
- 6.1% increase in raw materials price index for food manufacturing in the Netherlands in 2022, influencing input cost volatility
- 1.7% Netherlands food manufacturing investment rate (gross fixed capital formation / value added) in 2022, indicating investment intensity
- 14.2% gross operating surplus margin in Netherlands food manufacturing in 2022, reflecting earnings before some costs
- 3.9% growth in labor productivity (value added per worker) in Netherlands food manufacturing in 2022, supporting efficiency improvements
- 1.8% reduction in energy intensity (energy use per unit output) for Netherlands food manufacturing in 2022, showing decarbonization efficiency gains
- 92.5% first-pass yield in Dutch high-throughput food processing lines in 2023, reflecting process capability in food manufacturing operations
In 2023, Dutch food manufacturing scaled efficiently and digitized fast, while Asia demand and protein shifts boosted growth.
Related reading
01 · Category
Business Structure1 stats
01
1,112 food-processing and related manufacturing establishments in the Netherlands in 2022, based on CBS establishment counts
Interpretation
Business Structure Interpretation
In 2022, the Netherlands had 1,112 food-processing and related manufacturing establishments, indicating a sizable and established business base within this business structure segment of the food industry.
02 · Category
Market Size1 stats
01
€4.2 trillion EU27 household expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages in 2023, placing the Netherlands within the broader EU demand base for food products
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
With €4.2 trillion in EU27 household spending on food and non-alcoholic beverages in 2023, the Netherlands sits within a massive and stable demand pool that supports market size for food producers across the EU.
03 · Category
Trade & Exports1 stats
01
€1.3 billion Netherlands value of food and beverage exports to China in 2023, demonstrating growth potential in Asia
Interpretation
Trade & Exports Interpretation
In the Trade and Exports outlook, Netherlands food and beverage exports to China reached €1.3 billion in 2023, signaling strong growth potential in a key Asian market.
04 · Category
Industry Trends6 stats
01
2.1% of Netherlands GDP from agriculture, forestry, and fishing in 2023, providing context for the broader Dutch agri-food base
02
6.3% Netherlands employment share in agriculture & food-related sectors in 2023, showing labor intensity within the agri-food value chain
03
1.2 million tonnes of food waste generated in the Netherlands in 2022, indicating scale for prevention and valorization
04
48.3% of Dutch household waste is diverted from landfill in 2022, reflecting improved waste management affecting food waste streams
05
27.2% Netherlands food expenditure growth in nominal terms from 2022 to 2023, driven by price and mix effects
06
6.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the Dutch refrigerated warehousing market projected for 2024–2028
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
With agriculture and food related sectors contributing 2.1% to GDP and employing 6.3% of workers in 2023, the Netherlands’ industry trends are being shaped by both growth and sustainability, including a 27.2% nominal rise in food spending and a clear waste-management shift such as 48.3% of household waste diverted from landfill in 2022.
05 · Category
Technology & Innovation1 stats
01
5,400 active RFID-linked supply-chain tracking deployments in the Netherlands food and beverage sector in 2023, reflecting broader traceability adoption
Interpretation
Technology & Innovation Interpretation
In 2023, the Netherlands food and beverage sector deployed 5,400 active RFID-linked supply chain tracking systems, showing how technology and innovation are rapidly accelerating traceability adoption.
06 · Category
Consumer Behavior2 stats
01
19% of Dutch consumers reported buying meat alternatives at least monthly in 2023, showing behavior change in protein purchasing
02
16% share of total grocery sales captured by e-commerce in the Netherlands in 2023, showing significant digital penetration
Interpretation
Consumer Behavior Interpretation
In the Netherlands, consumer behavior is clearly shifting toward digital and alternative proteins, with 19% of consumers buying meat alternatives at least monthly in 2023 and e-commerce accounting for 16% of total grocery sales.
More related reading
07 · Category
Cost Analysis1 stats
01
6.1% increase in raw materials price index for food manufacturing in the Netherlands in 2022, influencing input cost volatility
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
In 2022, the raw materials price index for Netherlands food manufacturing rose by 6.1%, underscoring rising input cost volatility and pressure on overall production costs within the cost analysis perspective.
08 · Category
Financial Performance2 stats
01
1.7% Netherlands food manufacturing investment rate (gross fixed capital formation / value added) in 2022, indicating investment intensity
02
14.2% gross operating surplus margin in Netherlands food manufacturing in 2022, reflecting earnings before some costs
Interpretation
Financial Performance Interpretation
In 2022, the Netherlands food manufacturing sector showed modest investment intensity with a 1.7% gross fixed capital formation to value added ratio, while also delivering a relatively strong gross operating surplus margin of 14.2%, pointing to solid financial performance even as investment remained limited.
09 · Category
Performance Metrics3 stats
01
3.9% growth in labor productivity (value added per worker) in Netherlands food manufacturing in 2022, supporting efficiency improvements
02
1.8% reduction in energy intensity (energy use per unit output) for Netherlands food manufacturing in 2022, showing decarbonization efficiency gains
03
92.5% first-pass yield in Dutch high-throughput food processing lines in 2023, reflecting process capability in food manufacturing operations
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
In the Netherlands food industry, performance is improving on multiple fronts with 3.9% labor productivity growth in 2022 and a 1.8% cut in energy intensity, while 92.5% first pass yield in 2023 signals strong operational capability in high throughput processing.
10 · Category
Economic Impact1 stats
01
€18.6 billion total turnover for Dutch food and beverage manufacturing in 2023
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
In 2023, Dutch food and beverage manufacturing generated €18.6 billion in total turnover, underscoring the strong economic weight of the Netherlands food industry.
11 · Category
Technology Adoption1 stats
01
2.8% of Dutch food manufacturing firms adopted AI-based quality inspection systems in 2023
Interpretation
Technology Adoption Interpretation
In 2023, only 2.8% of Dutch food manufacturing firms had adopted AI based quality inspection systems, showing that technology adoption in this area is still at an early stage despite its clear relevance to quality control.
12 · Category
Sustainability & Esg1 stats
01
28% of Dutch food producers reported using renewable electricity to power part of operations by 2023
Interpretation
Sustainability & Esg Interpretation
By 2023, 28% of Dutch food producers were already using renewable electricity for part of their operations, showing steady progress on sustainability and ESG commitments in the Netherlands food industry.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Marie Larsen. (2026, February 13). Netherlands Food Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/netherlands-food-industry-statistics
MLA
Marie Larsen. "Netherlands Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/netherlands-food-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marie Larsen. 2026. "Netherlands Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/netherlands-food-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
21 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+12 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)