Upcoming Trade Shows in Netherlands for Food & Drink

Renowned for its modern and competitive food and drinks industry, the Netherlands ranks at the top of the world’s largest producers and exporters of a diverse range of everyday and luxury food products. From fruits, vegetables and meat to cheese, dairy, and chocolate, the Dutch have carved a niche as the second-largest global exporter of agricultural products. We’re talking about impressive numbers such as EUR 94.5 billion in exports, which is a noteworthy accomplishment given the country’s modest size. Approximately a quarter of this sum is attributed to re-export, emphasizing the Netherlands’ crucial role in the global food trade. The country’s proficiency in mass-producing vegetables and fruits in cutting-edge greenhouses demonstrates how well farmers are able to adopt innovation to boost efficiency. This, in turn, attracts companies, which work at the intersection of production and innovation. However, this success comes with its own set of unique challenges. The fast rise of discount supermarkets in fierce competition with industry giants like Ahold-Delhaize (Albert Heijn) has led to pricing pressures, compelling supermarkets to continually adjust prices and offer promotions. This dynamic landscape, with annual total supermarket sales of around EUR 45 billion, poses challenges for Dutch farmers and crop producers, who have to shift gears in order to keep up in order to remain profitable. It’s a good thing then that the Dutch show resilience and a determination to overcome obstacles. The constant pursuit of new ways to perfect processes aligns seamlessly with the Netherlands’ ambition to stay at the forefront of the food and drinks industry. Entrepreneurs, who develop new technologies for the agri-food sectors, will find rich soil to take root and make their mark in the competitive Dutch market.