Dutch agricultural exports to Japan have taken a hit due to the Covid pandemic. This is expected to be temporary, according to Denise Lutz, the agricultural attaché at the Dutch embassy in Tokyo.
Between 2015 and 2020, the value of agricultural exports to Japan increased by 50%. Japan is now the third largest export market outside Europe for products from the Dutch agrofood sector, after the US and China. In 2019, the export value was approximately €1 billion. This fell to €900 million in 2020.
Lutz said, “It’s understandable, as air transport was unavailable for a period. Exports have since resumed. Japan remains and will continue to be an important country for the Dutch agrofood sector,” in an interview with Agroberichtenbuitenland.nl.
In addition to products like pork and veal, cheese, bell peppers, and flower bulbs, Dutch companies export agrotechnology to Japan. An example is Lely, which has now delivered hundreds of milking robots to Japanese dairy farms.
“The dairy sector is open to innovations. The same goes for protected horticulture. I believe these sectors offer opportunities for Dutch businesses.”
Regarding the export of primary food products, the image of the Netherlands could be improved, she said. “Products from France and Germany have more ‘character’ with consumers. Wealthy Japanese choose products that are tasty, safe, and healthy,” added Lutz.
Sustainability in agriculture is high on Japan’s agenda. There are major concerns about the vitality of rural areas. Japanese agriculture is aging, the number of farmers is rapidly decreasing, and agricultural land is also shrinking. For this reason, there is a strong drive to increase productivity and reduce labor costs.
There is significant interest in mechanization and robotics. The Japanese government encourages the modernization of the agricultural sector, including through subsidies. “Developments in the Japanese agrofood sector, particularly in automation and robotics, attract a lot of attention. Knowledge sharing between Japan and the Netherlands offers prospects for both countries,” Lutz said.