Highlights Agroberichten Buitenland week 22, 2024

With the European elections coming up in June 2024, the Permanent Representation (PermRep) of the Netherlands to the European Union (EU) has a busy schedule ahead. Important issues will be: defending the Dutch position on new genomic techniques and negotiating measures in favour of Dutch farmers. Impacting the future direction of EU policies is high on the PermRep’s agenda.

Busy times ahead for PermRep to the EU before European elections

Heeft u kennis van de agro- of tuinbouwsector in Nederland en heeft u hierbinnen een netwerk? Bent u een goede organisator en wilt u zich inzetten voor de internationale ambities van deze sector? Wij zijn op zoek naar clustercoördinatoren voor het Partners International Business (PIB)-programma. Neem deel aan dit webinar op 19 juni voor meer informatie hierover!

Webinar PIB: een agro- of tuinbouwcluster begeleiden

This year’s International Day for Biodiversity took place on May 22 and put the spotlight on the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, in short: The Plan. As chair of the Group of Friends of Biodiversity in Rome, the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands hosted a well-attended event to raise awareness about biodiversity, from the multilateral to the national level. Ambassador Beukeboom moderated the discussion, challenging the speakers to connect national experiences to global biodiversity objectives.

International Day for Biodiversity: Be Part of the Plan!

Purchases of raspberries and blueberries are now eligible for the public School Fruit program, opening substantial market opportunities for berry growers in Bulgaria.

Local organic produce for Bulgarian schools and kindergartens

Bent u actief in de biologische sector? En wilt u meer weten over marktkansen voor biologische producten in Duitsland en daarbuiten? Neem dan deel aan het NL (Nederland) Paviljoen op vakbeurs BIOFACH 2025. Deze vakbeurs is van 11 tot en met 14 februari 2025 in Neurenberg (Duitsland).

NL Paviljoen op BIOFACH 2025

Van 22 tot 25 mei vond in Parijs Viva Technology (VivaTech) plaats, inmiddels één van de belangrijkste startup bijeenkomsten ter wereld. Nederland was voor de derde maal met een paviljoen vertegenwoordigd. In de slipstream vond de LFDay plaats, de jaarlijkse bijeenkomst van La Ferme Digitale, het grootste ecosysteem voor startups in de agrosfeer in Frankrijk. Dit soort ecosystemen ontwikkelen zich behoorlijk, mede dankzij gericht beleid van de Franse overheid.

Frankrijk: florerend ecosysteem van agro-startups

Fertilizer sales on the rise; rains help crops; guest workers might be needed in food industry; invasive pest a menace to gardens. Read more in this weekly briefing on agriculture, food and nature news in Hungary

Hungary: 83% of citizens support the EU's Nature Restoration Law

Data from the Institute of Cultivation and Fertilization in Puławy confirm what farmers have been observing for about three weeks. Drought in Poland is getting worse. The only thing that can help is a powerful, deep low and several hours of rain.

Drought in Poland

Cider and drinks that use the surplus of Polish fruit are taxed higher than beer. That is why the Polish Wine Council and cider producers want to abolish excise duty on these products. The Ministry of Agriculture supports the producers' demands. The Ministry of Finance responds that both cider and perry currently receive preferential tax treatment.

Tax debate concerning Polish cider

The Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade completed a review of special measures for the import of fresh roses to Ukraine and decided not to extend them.

Ukraine abolishes special duty on rose imports

Destroyed in 2023 with the Russian rockets, one of the largest greenhouses in Ukraine develops open field horticultural production

Ukrainian greenhouse production of war time

His company imports tulips and vegetable processing lines to Ukraine, but from the start of full-scale invasion he provides all kind of support to Ukrainian people.

Doing business and supporting Ukraine - the story of Arno Klijbroek

The Ghanaian horticultural sector holds significant promise for farmers, processors, input suppliers, and investors, for a diverse array of vegetables deeply ingrained in the nation's cuisine. With an emerging middle class, rapid urbanisation, and a growing population, there is a rising demand for high-quality vegetables, presenting ample opportunities for growth and investment as identified in the recently published Ghana Vegetable Market Flow Mapping.

Harvesting Opportunities: The Untapped Potential of Ghana's Vegetable Sector

Kenya and the Netherlands have enjoyed a decade-long partnership aimed at advancing the potato sector in Kenya. This collaboration has seen significant investment from both Kenyan and Dutch companies, not just in seed potatoes, but across the entire potato value chain. This includes storage solutions, mechanization, processing, and capacity building.

From plant to plate: Kenya-Netherlands cooperation in the potato sector

Kenya faces significant food waste challenges due to poor management practices and inadequate infrastructure. Projects like FORQLAB, supported by the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP), aim to reduce waste through collaboration, innovation, and policy reforms, focusing on avocado and dairy sectors. Results show the potential for ICT and cooperative learning to revolutionize value chains, improving efficiency and sustainability while empowering farmers. Moving forward, small strategic actions, regenerative practices, and ICT integration are key to fostering a resilient and sustainable food system in Kenya.

FORQLAB Closing Event

The 16th International Agricultural Exhibition (SIAM) was held in Meknes from April 22 to 28 under the theme "Climate and Agriculture: towards sustainable and resilient production systems".

The Netherlands pavilion at the SIAM 2024

Bent u actief in innovatieve en duurzame oplossingen in de agrosector en benieuwd naar de kansen en mogelijkheden die Colombia te bieden heeft? Treedt dan in de voetsporen van de ruim 100 Nederlandse bedrijven die u in de afgelopen jaren zijn voorgegaan en meldt u aan voor deelname aan Colombia’s belangrijkste agrobeurs: de Expo Agrofuturo 2024 van 23 t/m 25 oktober.

Uitnodiging tot deelname aan de Nederland Lounge op Expo Agrofuturo 2024 in Colombia

In the accumulated period from January to March 2024, an increase in exports was recorded, this is mainly a result of the strong international demand for products such as beer, berries and avocado

Mexican agri-food exports show a new record

According to Senator Ali Bektayev, high recycling fees that farmers have to pay while purchasing new agricultural machinery have made them reluctant to upgrade their machinery. They prefer using their outdated and worn-out tractors and combines. On the other hand, farmers can’t afford Kazakhstani-made machinery as local producers heavily rely on expensive foreign details. 

Kazakhstan mulls cancelling recycling fees for farmers to stimulate upgrade of agricultural machinery

Are you a Dutch company active in the agri-food sector and looking for an interesting opportunity to get in touch with your target group in Iraq and Kurdistan region? Then joining the Netherlands Pavilion at the Agro-Pack Erbil Fair is a great opportunity! You can meet potential partners and clients to expand your business activities in Iraq. The 2024 Agro-Pack Fair will take place November 25-28, 2024.

Join us at the NL pavilion at Agro-Pack Fair Erbil, Iraq

Jordan has seen major paradigm shifts in agriculture over the past 15 years. The war in Syria, followed by the corona pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the recent conflict in Gaza have made some of the previously dominant export markets inaccessible, hindered supply chains, significantly increased the population in Jordan and (therefore) put an enormous pressure on the responsibility for local food security. The effects of climate change have become more apparent in the form of reduced rain fall and higher evapotranspiration, leading to significant water shortage throughout Jordan. The government has had to step in to mitigate these challenges. But as the situation starts to ‘normalize’, are current projects still addressing society’s needs?

Jordan: Roadmap for Agriculture

U kunt het werk en de activiteiten van het LNV Attaché Netwerk volgen via onze social media kanalen:

• Linkedin via onze Bedrijfspagina LAN
• X via @Agrobericht
• Ons LAN YouTube kanaal

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