The Netherlands does not feed the world: new research from Wageningen University
For years, it has been a proud narrative: the Netherlands is the second-largest exporter of agricultural products in the world. The idea was that our small country plays a major role in feeding the global population. However, researchers from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) now say that this image is not entirely accurate.
The new research shows that, on balance, the Netherlands imports more food than it exports. This means that more nutrients are actually entering the country than leaving it. Although we sell many products abroad, we need even more raw materials from other countries to feed our own population and livestock.
A key reason for the old perception is the value of the products. The Netherlands exports many high-value products, such as flowers, meat, and specialty vegetables. This makes the export volume appear very large. However, when scientists look at the amount of calories and proteins, the conclusion is different. The Netherlands is primarily a major trade hub in the global food market.
Much of the imports consist of raw materials for livestock farming, such as soy from South America. This soy is used in the Netherlands as feed for cows, pigs, and chickens. A portion of the meat and dairy resulting from this is then exported again. Without these external imports, Dutch agriculture could not exist on this scale.
These new facts are important for the political discussion regarding the future of agriculture and nature in the Netherlands. It shows that the Netherlands is heavily dependent on the rest of the world for its own food supply. The researchers hope that their work contributes to an honest and realistic conversation about the role of the Netherlands in the global food system.