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Farmer adapts well to rapidly changing times
Dutch agriculture is highly adaptable. Despite regulations, economic pressure, climate change, and societal expectations, the sector continues to find solutions. This is evident in the report "State of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Nature 2025."
In 2023, the Dutch agricultural complex – including agriculture, horticulture, fishing, processing, and supply – generated €77 billion in added value. This represents 7,3% of the Dutch gross domestic product (GDP), a share that has been remarkably stable for years.
According to researchers at Wageningen University & Research, the Dutch agricultural sector remains robust. Besides accounting for a significant share of Dutch GDP, the sector is also seeing rising exports: a 4,8% increase in 2024 to €128,9 billion.
In 2024, the Netherlands still had 49.900 agricultural and horticultural businesses, a further decrease of 1,4%. Since 2000, the number of businesses has even halved. This decline does not mean that agriculture is disappearing, but rather that it is adapting through economies of scale and professionalization. While the number of businesses is decreasing, the area of agricultural land remains relatively stable, and the size of businesses is increasing.
Economic backbone
Large companies now account for 62% of total earning capacity and form the economic backbone of the sector, according to the report. Small businesses are becoming more innovative, seeking additional income, or specializing, for example, in multifunctional agriculture, organic farming, or short supply chains.
"The figures show that Dutch agriculture continues to adapt to changing circumstances," says Allard Jellema, project leader at Wageningen Social & Economic Research, in a press release. "We're seeing further increases in scale, but also a growing focus on sustainability and innovation. 'De Staat' helps visualize these trends, so that policy and practice can be better aligned."
Major price fluctuations
In recent years, farmers have faced significant price fluctuations, driven by the war in Ukraine, disruptions in global trade and energy prices, higher raw material and feed costs, and labor shortages. They adapted to these changing circumstances by increasing production efficiency, seeking out alternative sales channels, and concluding contracts more frequently.
In addition, more and more companies are expanding their activities. In 2023, 18.800 companies engaged in multifunctional agriculture, a record. The economic value of activities such as farm sales, care farming, recreation, and agri-environmental management rose to €1,7 billion.
John Ramaker
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