Despite the enormous food exports of the United States, the country still imports a lot of food. The new food policy is mainly aimed at becoming more self-sufficient. According to the new Dutch agricultural consul in the US, Kim Tran, this requires new substantial investments.
Tran is convinced that there are opportunities in the US for the Dutch agri-food sector, she says in an interview with Agroberichtenbuitenland.nl. On behalf of the Dutch embassy, Wageningen University (WUR) recently calculated that full replacement of food imports by local production in the US would require an investment of nearly 11 billion dollars.
“Dutch companies could possibly take on ten percent of this, for example in the development of protected horticulture in urban areas. As agricultural attaché, I facilitate connections between parties from the US and the Netherlands for this purpose.”
In the coming months, it will become clear which direction the new US president Joe Biden will take. He has already made clear that “Climate” will be a decisive factor, also in agriculture. There is already talk of carbon farmers. Biden has also announced a multi-billion investment for the American countryside.
The focus on sustainable agriculture is growing, also in the US, Tran observes. “The approach is: produce more with less input of water, fertilizers, and chemicals. In this area, the Netherlands has knowledge and experience. It is our task to further spread that expertise here in the US,” she said.
One of the key focus areas is protected horticulture, especially innovative horticultural technology, Tran already knows. The Dutch business community is a frontrunner in these sectors and, according to her, this is recognized in the US as well. “The American agri-food sector looks with respect at the Dutch agri sector. Such a small country yet the second largest agricultural exporter in the world, that commands respect.”