Browse Data and Analysis

This year’s apple harvest is expected to be 197,000 MT, slightly lower than last year’s numbers and the lowest in a decade. Pear production is set to drop by around nine percent, with a total of 327,000 MT. The decrease in pear harvest is mostly due to tough growing conditions throughout the season, leading to fewer fruits per tree. When it comes to the land being harvested, apple acreage is shrinking further, down to about 5,220 hectares.

After a 2023 outbreak, and the authorization of three types of vaccines, a new Bluetongue disease outbreak occurred again in the Netherlands in the summer of 2024. The disease is also spreading to neighboring countries Belgium and Germany.

Red Sea shipping remains unstable, with attacks on ships transiting this crucial maritime corridor surging recently. This has led to unpredictable shipping schedules, caused freight costs to almost triple, and transit times to more than double.

The turnover of the Dutch retail sector was valued at $54 billion in 2023. The sector is relatively consolidated, with the two largest food retailers controlling almost 60 percent of the market. Due to rising retail prices, consumers visit multiple supermarkets and increasingly choose private label products.

The exporter guide provides an economic and market overview, as well as demographic trends and practical tips to U.S. exporters on how to conduct business in the Netherlands.

In 2024, the Netherlands lost its manure derogation, an exception through which Dutch farmers could spread more manure on their land than stipulated in the EU Nitrate Directive.

The turnover of the Dutch food processing industry in 2021 (most recent data available) was valued at $99 billion. There are almost 8,500 food processing companies active in the Netherlands and together they account for over 150,000 jobs.

The Netherlands is working towards a ‘sugar tax’. As a first step, the existing levy on non-alcoholic beverages (excluding dairy, soy drinks and water) was increased to €0.26 ($0.29) per liter starting January 1, 2024.

The Netherlands, as a Member State of the European Union (EU), conforms to all EU regulations and directives. However, rules for the certification of imports are complicated and, in practice, are not always harmonized across EU Member States.

This report is an addendum to the GAIN report number E42023-0041 EU Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Report, November 13, 2023. It lists the Dutch import regulations and standards that are not harmonized within the EU or where the Netherlands varies from the EU standards.

The exporter guide provides an economic and market overview, as well as demographic trends and practical tips to U.S. exporters on how to conduct business in the Netherlands.

This report assesses the agricultural biotechnology sector in the Netherlands, and covers related production, trade, and policies. It includes topics related to genetic engineering and innovative plant, animal, and microbial biotechnologies.