Where does the Dutch market rank in importance for Irish agrifood exports?

It is our second-largest market for dairy exports after the UK, with product destined for both domestic use and for further export to other EU and non-EU markets through the port of Rotterdam.

In the four months to the end of April, 76,009 tonnes of Irish dairy was exported to the Netherlands, which is up just under 26% on the same period last year.

It is our third largest market for beef exports, with most of these visible on the shelf.

In the first four months of 2025, 13,459 tonnes of Irish beef were exported to this market, a 3.4% increase year on year.

Prepared consumer foods are also important as a selection of Dutch supermarkets’ own label processed foods are manufactured in Ireland.

What have been the trends in the Dutch market?

Animal welfare has been a huge issue in the Netherlands throughout my time here, but in recent times there has been a huge focus on reducing emissions too.

Government policy has been to encourage a reduction in animal-based protein to achieve a 50-50 balance with plant-based protein. This is visible in some supermarkets and restaurants but while Dutch consumers may consume less red meat, they will be looking for top-quality product when they do. This actually presents an opportunity for Irish beef.

What does the market want from Irish suppliers?

Quality assurance (QA) is an absolute minimum for Irish agrifood in the Dutch market, it is effectively a license to operate. I have mentioned animal welfare, a key plank of our sustainable beef and lamb assurance scheme (SBLAS), but we cover many more bases in the scheme as well.

Its breadth appeals to buyers here, as does the fact that it evolves to deal with the issues of the day. It really is a one-stop scheme that satisfies the needs of most customers, though some have additional specification needs as well.

Dutch buyers are loyal customers but they are demanding. It is not enough to tell a good story here about our quality systems; if we make a claim we have to prove it!

What is the future for Irish agrifood exports to the Netherlands?

This is what we would describe as a well-established market for Irish food and drink exports and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

Dutch production has been squeezed as they no longer have a nitrates derogation and government policy has been to buy farms and take them out of production. Irish exporters are well placed to supply any deficit this creates.

New opportunities for our main volume categories are present to a limited degree but there are always opportunities for speciality foods that offer consumers something new and I foresee further growth for added value foods in particular.