Noord-Holland is home to a wide variety of agribusiness. It’s where high-tech meets traditional expertise. Noord-Holland has become a world leader in seed technology, plant & flower breeding, and in fresh food delivery. Challenges vary from subsector to subsector, but the general trend prevails. Dutch agribusiness is innovating rapidly, with an emphasis on greener, healthier, organic products and lower emissions. The close collaboration between companies, universities and government remains an important key to success.
GREENPORT AALSMEER ROYAL FLORA HOLLAND
Of the approximately 1,800 new plant varieties that enter the European market each year, 65% originate from the Netherlands. Dutch breeders account for more than 40% of the world’s applications for plant variety rights. Greenport Aalsmeer concentrates on all floricultural processing, auction, plant breeding, production and trade facilities.
Colorful numbers
Greenport Aalsmeer is one of six Greenports in the Netherlands. It is home to the world’s largest trade center for flowers and plants. The well-known Aalsmeer flower auction, Flora Holland, is at its heart. Total turnover of €3 billion. Total workforce of 50,000 full-time professionals. The Aalsmeer area is directly connected to nearby Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport. Greenport Aalsmeer processes 42 million flowers and plants every day, brought in by 10,000 producers from 77 countries. 5,000 wholesalers, help this daily supply find its way to customers worldwide.
NOORD-HOLLAND NORTH
GREENPORT OF EUROPE
Just north of Amsterdam the most versatile agricultural area of Europe is situated. Vegetables, meat, potatoes, flowers and seeds all originate from this region. Of all vegetable seeds used over the entire world, 70% can be directly or indirectly traced back to this region, with Seed Valley as the epic centre. The strong link in this agri-cluster chain is Greenport Noord-Holland Noord. With its exceptional logistical infrastructure and expertise the region supplies millions of consumers with fresh high quality products daily
KEEP FEEDING THE WORLD
The world population keeps growing and is becoming more prosperous. Demand for food, flowers and plants will continue to grow.
The Netherlands is the world’s second largest exporter of agri-food products – with every intention of retaining its leading position.
SEEDVALLEY EPICENTER OF GREEN GENETICS
Seed Valley in the northwest of the Netherlands is the international center of plant breeding and seed technology. It is home to dozens of innovative companies that develop high-quality vegetable and flower varieties for the horticulture sector. Seed Valley is where ‘green software’ is developed, the genetic programming that determines how vegetables taste, the color and size of a flower, and a plant’s level of resistance to diseases.
Hotspot for breeders and multipliers
Nine multinational companies conduct 80% of all global trade in vegetable seeds. Five of these multinationals are headquartered in Seed Valley. This area between Alkmaar and Enkhuizen is the home of dozens of specialized companies. They are very high-tech, advanced and successful. It’s the global epicenter of applied green genetics.
