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 50 billion Euro, the Netherlands is the world's third largest exporter after the USA and France 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 21 billion in 2004, is after the US the second largest in the world, and represents 44% of the total Dutch trade surplus. The most important export products are floricultural products (7,2 billion Euro in 2004), meat (Euro 5,3 billion) and dairy products (Euro 4,3 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 counselor, 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 Netherland 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.

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 2005/2006 of the Dutch Agri-Sector
• Livestock, Meat and Eggs in the Netherlands 2006 (Vee, Vlees en Eieren in Nederland 2006)

Korea

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

Contact

Agricultural Counsellor 
Agricultural Trade Officer
Ms. Grace Lee, Administrative Assistant

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

Links

Information on Dutch agricultural products exporters:

 www.agriculture.com
 www.foodfromholland.com
 The Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Food Quality provides detailed information about specific aspects of Dutch agriculture policy.
 Glasshouse Horticulture
 Plant Production
 Organic Agriculture
 Animal Welfare
 Animal Production
 Fisheries
 Forestry
 Nature Reserves
 Outdoor Recreation
 Protected Plants and Animals
 Trade and Industy
 International Affairs
 The Environment

Korean government organizations :

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  www.maf.go.kr
Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Fisheries  www.momaf.go.kr
Ministry of Health & Welfare  www.mohw.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

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 Community & Agriculture Corporation  www.karico.co.kr
National Horticultural Research Institute  www.nhri.go.kr

Trade:

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

Other:

 The Keukenhof website
 Netherlands Flowerbulb Information Center website
 Panorama Tulip Land website