News Agricultural Census
Cultivation of protein crops decreases, considerably less soybean
The cultivation of protein crops in the Netherlands is declining. This is mainly the result of reduced soy cultivation, according to the CBS agricultural census.
In total, about 9,1 thousand hectares of protein crops will be cultivated this year, a decrease of 3% compared to last year. These crops account for approximately 0,5% of the total Dutch agricultural area.
Lucerne frontrunner
The largest part is used for the cultivation of alfalfa, namely 7.511 hectares. Compared to last year, this is a decrease of approximately 1,4%. This year, the number of hectares will be divided among 1.165 companies. This means that the number of companies with alfalfa has increased by 5% compared to last year. On average, therefore, less alfalfa is grown per company.
The field bean acreage has managed to grow. The number of hectares has grown by 15% to 1.092 hectares. With this, the acreage continues the growth of the past 7 years and the number of hectares in use has grown to the highest level in 10 years.
The number of hectares used for field peas has decreased by 11,5% and stands at 277 hectares for this year. The acreage of non-bitter lupine, on the other hand, has grown and amounts to 100 hectares for this year.
Soybeans
The acreage of soybeans is also decreasing. This year soy is grown on 132 hectares, last year this was still on 476 hectares. This equates to a decrease of no less than 73%. The acreage is not only declining in the Netherlands, but less soy is also grown in Europe.
Last year, 896.000 hectares were used for soy in Europe, which was 6,2% less than in 2018. The largest decrease took place in Italy and Romania, where 19% and 14% less soy was grown respectively. However, within Europe, Italy, with an area of 273 hectares, still produces the most soy.
Globally, Brazil was the largest soybean country last year with a cultivation of 35 million hectares. The United States and Argentina are also not inferior to these large quantities, where 31 million and 18 million hectares were cultivated.
Chanti Oussoren
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