NAO-Netherlands-pavilion puts spotlight on Dutch potato sector

August 11, 2023

This Dutch entry consists of a collective part, where the NAO can welcome its members and relations. Surrounding this collective space, at least 14 companies and organizations have their own stand as exhibitors. This layout ensures a large Dutch network in one location, which has a strengthening effect and ensures recognizability.

Collective interests

As the national representative of the Dutch potato trade, the NAO is happy to bring Dutch consumption potatoes and seed potatoes to the attention of the visitors of the pavilion. “Potato cultivation uses considerably less water compared to, for example, rice cultivation. Dutch growers are working hard on new robust varieties that contribute to making potato cultivation more sustainable. In areas with a low production, such as in Africa, Dutch varieties and the use of certified seed potatoes can quickly increase the production per hectare. This means that the Dutch seed potato can make a major contribution to the global food supply. International buyers are aware of this, and the Dutch trading companies know how to find the markets. The Dutch export of seed potatoes accounts for sixty percent of the global trade in certified seed potatoes. The 2022-2023 season even achieved record seed potato exports. Since the predecessors of the NAO started keeping track of Dutch seed potato exports in 1949, exports have not been this high. The export of seed potatoes from the 2022 harvest (up to and including May 2023) amounted to 855 thousand tons. Coincidentally, the export of consumption potatoes ended up at the same volume and was therefore considerably higher than in higher years. A large part of the consumption potatoes went to neighboring countries, with Belgium as the largest buyer. That country purchased more than half of the Dutch export of consumption potatoes. This large volume shows the importance of Belgium for the Dutch potato trade and suppliers, and the importance of organizing a collective Dutch pavilion for the PotatoEurope edition taking place in Belgium”, NAO-Secretary and policy officer Jan Gottschall explains.

International networking

Visitors from countries outside the European Union, the so-called Third Countries, usually also know their way to the collective pavilion, Gottschall adds. At the end of the first day of the exhibition, the NAO will organize the traditional network reception, in collaboration with the Agricultural Counselor of the Netherlands in Brussels. Experience shows that many visitors and exhibitors participate in this event. The reception strengthens the networking function of the pavilion. The NAO welcomes members and relations at the stand. Catching up, informing each other and sharing concerns and new developments are important activities to stay up-to-date. The NAO employees are happy to get in touch with visitors.

NAO-Netherlands-pavilion e-book

As a closely involved partner of the NAO-Netherlands-pavilion, PotatoWorld has published an e-book regarding the pavilion and its participants at PotatoEurope 2023. Find the e-book here.

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