Agriculture and Food Security

Finding innovative solutions together

Both New Zealand and the Netherlands are global leaders in agriculture and horticulture, renowned for producing high-quality food. New Zealand and the Netherlands cooperate to bring innovative, high tech systems to farming and horticulture, working together to produce food that is grown in an efficient and sustainable way. We are contributing to building agricultural sectors that are futureproof and contribute to reach the Paris Agreement climate goals.

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Innovation Mission: Robotization and Digitization in Horticulture

In November 2024, an Innovation Mission from the Netherlands visited New Zealand to learn about developments in robotization and digitization in the horticulture sector, particularly in the fruit sector. This mission brought together Dutch companies, researchers, and government representatives to explore opportunities for collaboration with New Zealand in research, innovation, and business. Together with our partner AgriTechNZ the mission visited key partners and stakeholders on New Zealand’s North Island. 

As a result of this mission, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, Fisheries and Food Security granted a Seed Money Project to a consortium of New Zealand and Dutch partners from academia and industry to further initiate and build collaborative projects. The project will focus on Precision spraying and monitoring; High throughput phenotyping; and Novel fruit sensors.

EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

In May 2024, New Zealand and the European Union agreed on a Free Trade Agreement that has important benefits for trade of agricultural products, both from the EU to New Zealand and from New Zealand to the EU, with easier access to markets and more opportunities to sell products. New Zealand exporters are expected to save around $100 million per year on tariff elimination alone. In the first year of implementation, the value of exports from New Zealand to the EU has increased with 28%, from NZD 3.8 billion to over NZD 4.8 billion.

Food Security in the Pacific

Wageningen University & Research is investigating whether some of their experiences and learnings from work in the Caribbean region can also be applied to the Pacific context. For instance in relation to climate smart agriculture, sustainable food security and sustainable fisheries. During a visit to Fiji in October 2024 initial contacts with regional partners were made and further discussions about collaboration opportunities are ongoing. 

Working with the Netherlands on Agriculture and Food Security

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New Zealand and the Pacific supports partnerships in agriculture and food security. We connect local stakeholders with Dutch companies, knowledge institutions, and government partners to co-develop sustainable solutions.

Together we can strengthen food security, modernize agricultural practices, and promote innovation.

Are you interested to learn more? Contact our team in Wellington here.