Netherlands remarkable agric exports, remove every excuse for Nigeria’s net food imports

SecGen · 4 March 2025 21:25

Indeed a major challenge for our scientists, universities, polytechnics and entrepreneurs. It’s better to leave governments out of this list.

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/fact-check-this-strange-facts-wsKPnCERRw6vEeEcHOWkFg

mine · 5 March 2025 10:33

Fact check this. Strange Facts And Knowledge • Join EF Empowering Facts • 4d • ... X A VERY SMALL COUNTRY BY THE SIZE OF MARYLAND EXPORTS MORE FOOD THAN ANY OTHER BUT THE US AND BRAZIL. FARMERS, IN NETHERLAND, USE CUTTING-EDGE GREENHOUSES TO GROW CROPS WITH 90% LESS WATER, WHILE ROBOTS AND COMPUTERS MANAGE THE CLIMATEAND IRRIGATION. THEY EARNED €117 BILLION FROM FOOD EXPORTS, IN 2023

Let me fact check this claim:

The Netherlands is indeed a major food exporter despite its small size (comparable to Maryland). The Netherlands is the second-largest food exporter in the world by value, behind only the United States1 3. This contradicts the claim that it ranks behind both the US and Brazil.

Regarding export values, Dutch agricultural exports were worth nearly €124 billion in 20234, which is higher than the €117 billion mentioned in the claim. More specifically, food exports from the Netherlands amounted to $133.74 billion in 2023, representing a 1.6% increase from the previous year1.

The Netherlands does employ advanced greenhouse technology for efficient crop production. Dutch greenhouses utilize innovative techniques that significantly reduce water usage. Their soilless cultivation systems with water recirculation are highly efficient, and the country is working toward zero-emission greenhouse production by 20272 5. While the exact “90% less water” figure isn’t specifically confirmed in the search results, Dutch greenhouse systems do demonstrate remarkable water efficiency compared to conventional farming5.

The use of technology in Dutch agriculture is accurately represented. Dutch farmers employ advanced technology including precision farming techniques, climate-controlled greenhouses with LED lighting, and sophisticated water management systems1 8. These technologies help maximize yields while minimizing environmental impact.

In summary, the claim is mostly accurate but contains a few inaccuracies regarding the Netherlands’ ranking among global food exporters and the precise export value.

Citations:

Answer from Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/fact-check-this-strange-facts-wsKPnCERRw6vEeEcHOWkFg?utm_source=copy_output

What are the main crops grown in the Netherlands' high-tech greenhouses

The Netherlands’ high-tech greenhouses primarily grow tomatoes and bell peppers, which are the largest greenhouse crops in the country2. Other significant greenhouse-grown vegetables include cucumbers and lettuce3 4.

Beyond these staple vegetables, Dutch greenhouses also produce a variety of other crops:

Microgreens, cresses, and edible flowers (produced by companies like Koppert Cress)5
Roses and other ornamental flowers5
Lettuce grown on hydroponics systems6

The Dutch are also introducing new crops to their greenhouse production. These include:

Vanilla and black pepper (which can be grown without pesticides in controlled greenhouse environments)2
Papaya trees (using dwarf tree varieties that can thrive in greenhouse conditions)2

Historically, table grapes were the main greenhouse crop in the Netherlands about seventy years ago, before the industry evolved toward tomato production2. The Dutch greenhouse technology has advanced to the point where tropical crops can be grown in cold regions, and water-loving crops can be cultivated in desert environments3.

Citations:

Answer from Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/fact-check-this-strange-facts-wsKPnCERRw6vEeEcHOWkFg?utm_source=copy_output

How does the Netherlands' food export revenue compare to other major food exporters

The Netherlands is the second-largest food exporter in the world by value, behind only the United States1 2. According to 2022 data, the Netherlands exported food products worth €104 billion, representing a 5.4% share of global food trade2.

In the global ranking of food exporters:

United States: €182 billion
Brazil: €127 billion
Netherlands: €104 billion (2022 figures)

Following the Netherlands are Germany (€89 billion), China (€84 billion), France (€83 billion), and several other major exporters including Canada, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Indonesia, and India2.

The Netherlands’ agricultural exports have continued to grow, reaching nearly €124 billion in 20233 and an estimated €128.9 billion in 2024 (a 4.8% increase from the previous year)4. The country’s trade surplus in agricultural goods amounted to €42.8 billion4.

What makes this achievement remarkable is that the Netherlands accomplishes this despite its small geographical size, using innovative farming techniques, high-tech greenhouses, and efficient agricultural practices1.

Citations:

Answer from Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/fact-check-this-strange-facts-wsKPnCERRw6vEeEcHOWkFg?utm_source=copy_output

What are the main categories of food exports from the Netherlands

Based on the most recent data, the main categories of food exports from the Netherlands include:

Dairy and Eggs: €12.3 billion in 2024 (or $12.93 billion in 2023)1 4 5
Ornamental Plants/Horticulture: €11.9 billion in 2024 (or $12.42 billion in 2023)1 4
Meat: €10.7 billion in 2024 (or $11.94 billion in 2023)1 4
Vegetables: $9.48 billion in 2023 (or €8.7 billion in 2023)1 2
Beverages: $8.77 billion in 2023 (or €8.1 billion in 2023)1 2
Fruits: $8.55 billion in 2023 (or €7.7 billion in 2023)1 2
Processed and preserved fruits and vegetables: $7.67 billion in 2023 (or €7.1 billion in 2023)1 2
Natural fats and oils: $7.35 billion in 2023 (or €6.8 billion in 2023)1 2
Preparations of cereals, flour, and milk: $7.03 billion in 2023 (or €6.7 billion in 2023)1 2
Prepared animal fodder: $6.76 billion in 2023 (or €6.3 billion in 2023)1 2

These top categories account for approximately 42% of the Netherlands’ total agricultural export value, which reached an estimated €128.9 billion in 2024, representing a 4.8% increase from the previous year4.

Citations:

Answer from Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/fact-check-this-strange-facts-wsKPnCERRw6vEeEcHOWkFg?utm_source=copy_output

What are the top destinations for Dutch food exports

Based on the most recent data from 2024, Germany remains the dominant destination for Dutch agricultural exports, receiving 25% of the Netherlands’ total agricultural exports. The top destinations for Dutch food exports are:

Germany: $31.98 billion (2023) with 8.5% growth in 2024
Belgium: $16.42 billion (2023) with 6% growth in 2024
France: $11.56 billion (2023) with less than 2% growth in 2024
United Kingdom: $10.15 billion (2023) with minimal growth of 0.3% in 2024
Italy: $5.40 billion (2023)
Spain: $4.97 billion (2023) with 7% growth in 2024
Poland: $4.32 billion (2023) with the highest growth among top destinations at 13% in 2024
China: $3.78 billion (2023), though exports declined by 12% in 2024
USA: $3.67 billion (2023) with 9% growth in 2024
Sweden: $2.92 billion (2023)

These top five destinations (Germany, Belgium, UK, France, and the US) account for almost 50% of the Netherlands’ total agricultural exports4 5.

Citations:

Answer from Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/fact-check-this-strange-facts-wsKPnCERRw6vEeEcHOWkFg?utm_source=copy_output

What are the main challenges faced by Dutch food exporters

Dutch food exporters face several significant challenges despite the country’s strong position in global agricultural trade:

Rising costs have severely impacted the food processing industry, with price increases of up to 40% for some raw materials and energy costs rising by as much as 85%. Packaging materials like paper and plastic have become 6-12% more expensive than pre-COVID levels, and sea freight costs have also increased1.
The COVID-19 pandemic created multiple disruptions including social distancing requirements, closure of foodservice outlets, and global trade flow disruptions that negatively affected many Dutch food companies1.
Fierce competition is a major challenge, as Dutch exporters must compete with both local producers and other international companies in the European market, requiring unique marketing strategies to stand out2.
Strict regulations and compliance requirements across different European countries create time-consuming and costly barriers for exporters, who must navigate varying standards2.
For certain products like tomatoes, there’s a quality perception issue. Despite being a major tomato exporter, Dutch tomatoes have been criticized for prioritizing quantity over quality, with many growers focusing on higher yields for better profits rather than taste3.
The export value of agriculture-related goods declined by 7% in 2023 (to €12.0 billion from €12.9 billion in 2022), primarily due to a sharp decline in fertilizer prices and exports to key markets like Belgium and France5.

These challenges collectively pressure Dutch food exporters to balance cost management, regulatory compliance, and quality perception while maintaining their competitive position in global markets.

Citations:

Answer from Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/fact-check-this-strange-facts-wsKPnCERRw6vEeEcHOWkFg?utm_source=copy_output