'Farmer cannot produce sustainably and cheaply'

"If we want the farmer to meet environmental requirements, then the consumer must be prepared to pay more in the supermarket," says Agrifirm CEO Dick Hordijk. "Consumers must become more aware of the origin of food and the impact of the choices they make. The solution to the nitrogen problem, for example, lies partly in their hands." At the end of this week, Agrifirm will present a new retail concept, called BOER&NLekker, in which consumers can pick up the products from the farmer.

"Sustainably produced food is also more expensive", Hordijk said in a press release in response to the renewed inflation, to 6,4%. "Food prices are contributing to the increase in inflation, with cheese, bread and cottage cheese making the largest contribution. Yet the Dutch consumer pays too little for agricultural products," said Hordijk.

"The Dutch consumer finds it 'normal' to have breakfast with a bowl of yogurt and a sandwich with cheese in the afternoon. The same Dutchman wants the nitrogen problem to be solved and thinks it is important that animals in stables are treated as well as possible. But if the same person repeatedly opts for the cheapest product in the supermarket, the farmer does not earn anything from it and cannot produce more sustainably." Supermarkets are also stuck as a result, according to the CEO. "Consumers want the environmentally friendly product, but often do not want to pay extra for it. Often also because they simply lack this awareness."

'Margins farmers and growers really minimal' 
Hordijk: "The government imposes all kinds of sanctions on farmers: nitrogen and CO2 emissions must be reduced, animal welfare must be in order and biodiversity is important. But the Dutch farmer cannot take any environmental damage into account and be as efficient and cheap as possible. The margins on the revenue model of most farmers and growers are really minimal."

According to the CEO, the problem can only be solved by more transparency about the environmental impact of food. "For example, through information on the packaging, or prices in which the effect is incorporated. At the same time, we must work together to further increase consumer awareness."

Linda van Eekeres

Linda van Eekeres is co-writing editor-in-chief. She mainly focuses on macro-economic developments and the influence of politics on the agricultural sector.

l.vaneekeres@boerenbusiness. Nl

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