Agriculture in the Netherlands

Agribusiness is a very important (export) sector of the Dutch economy and comprises the total food (and non-food) production and distribution system. With an agricultural export volume of about 57 billion Euro, the Netherlands is the world's second largest exporter after the USA of agricultural and food products. This strong position is built on the leading role of the Netherlands in primary agricultural production, food processing technology, biotechnology, logistics and agricultural research. Adequate co-operation between research, education, extension, and agricultural production and processing results in speedy innovation, thus enabling Dutch companies to continue producing new and better agricultural products that are keyed to the wishes of the specific consumers all of the world. The net trade surplus of the agricultural sector in the Netherlands of Euro 24 billion in 2008, is after the US the second largest in the world, and represents two-thirds of the total Dutch trade surplus. The most important export products are ornamental products (7.8 billion Euro in 2008), meat (Euro 6.9 billion) and dairy products (Euro 5.1 billion). Particularly in the trade of ornamental products, the Netherlands holds over 60% of the world trade, which justifies the name “flower country”.

Agricultural Office in Royal Netherlands Embassy

The Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has its own representatives in Korea. A small team, comprising of an agricultural counsellor, a technical and trade assistant and an administrative support officer, forms the Agricultural section in the Dutch Embassy. Their tasks are mainly related to the facilitation and promotion of agricultural trade between the Netherlands and Korea, and can be summarized as follows: 

• Providing information on agricultural policies, programs and activities of the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality 
• Assisting the local agri-business sector and other organizations in providing adequate, current and accurate information on Dutch agricultural practices, processes, trade contacts, legislation and products or research information 
• Assisting Dutch suppliers or organizations in developing new contacts or organizational networks by providing relevant business information 
• Liaising with Korean Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as well as other government and semi-government institutions and the private sector, particularly on agricultural matters affecting trade and investments
• Monitoring the developments in the agricultural policies and agricultural sector in Korea, which may be relevant for the Dutch agribusiness complex.

Contact

Mr. Gert Stiekema, Agricultural Counsellor  
Mr. Hojin Kang, Agricultural Assistant
Ms. Grace Lee, Office Manager 

Tel: 82-2-723-4180
Fax: 82-2-723-0283
Email:  seo-lnv@minbuza.nl

The Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has its own representatives in Korea. A small team, comprising of an agricultural counsellor, a technical and trade assistant and an administrative support officer, forms the Agricultural section in the Dutch Embassy. Their tasks are mainly related to the facilitation and promotion of agricultural trade between the Netherlands and Korea, and can be summarized as follows:

Publications

Holland  

• Made in Holland (Agricultural Industry)
• The Flower Bulbs Sector in the Netherlands
• Dutch Nursery (Stock review)
• The Dutch Poultry Sector
• The Dutch Floriculture Sector
• Glasshouse Vegetable growing in the Netherlands
• Dutch Dairy farming and dairy products
• Facts and Figures 2008 of the Dutch Agri-Sector
• Livestock, Meat and Eggs in the Netherlands 2009 
• Agricultural Economic Report 2009 of the Netherlands 

Korea

• The Korean Dairy Market
• Korean Market of Ornamentals
• Greenhouse Sector Study South Korea 2006

Links

Information on Dutch ariculture, nature and food quality:

 www.dutchfish.nl (Dutch seafood exporters)
 www.wur.nl (Wageningen UR)
 www.minlnv.nl (The Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Food Quality provides detailed information about specific aspects of Dutch agriculture policy - such as Agriculture, Biotechnology, Environment, Fisheries, Food, Holiculture, Live stock, Nature, Rural areas, Trade and Industry.
 www.vwa.nl (Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) 
 www.agriculture.com
 The Keukenhof website
 Netherlands Flowerbulb Information Center website

Korean government organizations:

Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries  www.mifaff.go.kr 
Ministry for Health, Welfare, and Family Affairs  www.mw.go.kr
Korea Customs Service  www.customs.go.kr
Korea National Statistical Office  www.nso.go.kr
Rural Development Administration  www.rda.go.kr
Korea Food and Drug Administration  www.kfda.go.kr
National Veterinary Research & Quarantine Service  www.nvrqs.go.kr
National Plant Quarantine Service  www.npqs.go.kr
National Fisheries Products Quality Inspection Service  www.nfis.go.kr

Agriculture-related organizations in Korea:

Korea Rural Economic Institute  www.krei.re.kr
National Institute of Agricultural Science & Tech.  www.niast.go.kr
Korea Rural Corporation  www.ekr.or.kr
National Horticultural Research Institute  www.nhri.go.kr

Trade with Korea:

Korea Fishery Trade Association  www.kfta.net
KOTRA  english.kotra.or.kr
Korea International Trade Association  global.kita.net
Korea Imports Association  www.koima.or.kr
Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corporation  www.at.or.kr