Short-chain turnover in 2019 more than 1 billion euros

Dutch agricultural companies achieved a turnover of €2019 billion between the second quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 1,5 from so-called 'short-chain sales'. This is evident from the latest figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

Short-chain sales in the period from the second quarter of 2019 to the first quarter of 2020 resulted in a turnover of approximately €1,5 billion for agricultural and horticultural companies in the Netherlands. That is almost 33% of the total turnover of all companies that have engaged in short-chain sales. Statistics Netherlands makes a distinction here between direct sales or via a single intermediary. In the aforementioned period, sales directly from the farm to consumers amounted to €0,3 billion, while sales through one intermediary (e.g. catering industry) amounted to €1,2 billion.

The total number of companies selling through the short chain has risen sharply in recent years: from 10,5% in 2017 to 13,7% in the first quarter of 2020. Specifically, according to the statisticians, approximately 7.200 agricultural companies have generated turnover from short chain sales. (13,2% of the total number of agricultural companies in the Netherlands). In 2017, there were still 5.700 companies (10,5% of the total). The effect of the corona crisis is not yet clear in these figures, as it only started to play up in the second quarter. 

Largest share: ornamental plants
The companies that are active in the cultivation of ornamental plants, in particular, achieved turnover from short-chain sales. In total, this concerns an amount of €583 million, which is over 39% of the total turnover in this sector. Food horticulture reached €398 million (26% of the total). Dairy farms (€182 million), arable farms (€108 million) and laying hen farms (€56 million) also achieved a substantial amount of their turnover through short-chain sales.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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