Organic and sustainable food in the Netherlands - statistics & facts
The Dutch have been developing a large appetite for organic and sustainable food in recent years. This increased hunger for healthier food options has an impact on all aspects of the organic and sustainable food market in the Netherlands, from production to consumption. In addition, the organic food sales in the Netherlands are much higher than in the other Benelux countries: Belgium and Luxembourg. The Netherlands is not alone in the increased craving for organic food products. The concern for the impact of food production on livestock and the environment is an established global trend.
Organic food products are significantly more expensive than their generic counterparts. Organic, pesticide-free farming is less efficient and more costly than regular farming. This has proven to be a major obstacle for consumers who pursue an organic lifestyle. Nonetheless, the share of organic food retail sales has increased in recent years, reaching 16 percent of the total food expenditure in 2020. The closing of the price gap between organic and generic food products would further improve organic food sales, and consequentially advance the welfare of livestock.
As opposed to organic food, which refers to pesticide-free farming and animal-friendly slaughter, the determining factor in sustainable food is the environment. Sustainable farming aims to, on the one hand, minimize emissions of harmful gases, and on the other hand, increase the durability of the crop production on arable farmland. In Dutch supermarkets, sustainable food is easily recognized through stickers with official certifications. Sustainable behavior does not limit itself to the food industry in the Netherlands, it is a rising trend in all aspects of consumption.
Organic food
Organic food products are significantly more expensive than their generic counterparts. Organic, pesticide-free farming is less efficient and more costly than regular farming. This has proven to be a major obstacle for consumers who pursue an organic lifestyle. Nonetheless, the share of organic food retail sales has increased in recent years, reaching 16 percent of the total food expenditure in 2020. The closing of the price gap between organic and generic food products would further improve organic food sales, and consequentially advance the welfare of livestock.
Sustainable food
As opposed to organic food, which refers to pesticide-free farming and animal-friendly slaughter, the determining factor in sustainable food is the environment. Sustainable farming aims to, on the one hand, minimize emissions of harmful gases, and on the other hand, increase the durability of the crop production on arable farmland. In Dutch supermarkets, sustainable food is easily recognized through stickers with official certifications. Sustainable behavior does not limit itself to the food industry in the Netherlands, it is a rising trend in all aspects of consumption.
