Agriculture and Food

© Ecoation

The agriculture team represents the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Based at the Embassies in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the team supports cooperation between Dutch organizations active in agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, the food and food processing industry, nature management, and agricultural research and knowledge institutions, and their public and private counterparts across the GCC (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar).

Let's connect

Our colleagues are happy to help you!

The agriculture team to the GCC countries

The agriculture team facilitates cooperation between the Netherlands and the GCC countries across the agri-food value chain, with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation and food security. The team promotes bilateral trade in agricultural products, technologies, knowledge and services, and supports collaboration between governments, the private sector and knowledge institutions

The team provides information and guidance on Dutch expertise in agriculture, food security, agro-industry and trade, fisheries and aquaculture, nature management, and science, research and knowledge transfer. To this end, the agricultural department participates in trade fairs, provides market and policy information, organizes trade missions, seminars and networking events, mediates in discussions on market access and trade barriers, and promotes education and training opportunities in the fields of food and agriculture.

Agricultural department is particularly focused on sustainable solutions adapted to the Gulf region, including climate-resilient agriculture, efficient water use, innovation and responsible business conduct. On all levels of the public, private and knowledge sectors, the team actively pursues cooperation between Dutch and GCC partners, with a strong emphasis on capacity building and long-term partnerships.
 

Agriculture & food in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is implementing a comprehensive transformation of its agriculture and food system under Vision 2030, with food security, sustainable resource management and the adoption of advanced technologies as key priorities. Due to the Kingdom’s arid climate, limited freshwater resources and exposure to high temperatures, improving water efficiency and climate resilience is central to the development of the sector. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) plays a central role in this transition, focusing on modern production systems, improved supply chains and reduced post-harvest losses.

The Netherlands is a strategic partner for Saudi Arabia in addressing these challenges. Dutch expertise in water innovation, controlled-environment agriculture, efficient irrigation and fertigation systems, greenhouse technology, and climate-smart production methods supports Saudi efforts to produce more with less water while maintaining quality, resilience and reliability of supply. These solutions are particularly relevant for protected horticulture, high-value crops and the reduction of water and energy inputs.
 

Netherlands–Saudi Arabia cooperation framework

This cooperation is anchored in an institutional framework. In June 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding during GreenTech Amsterdam. The MoU strengthens bilateral cooperation in areas such as sustainable and water-efficient agriculture, greenhouse horticulture, innovation and technology transfer, research collaboration and capacity building.

The MoU entered into force in 2026, providing a structured basis for policy dialogue and the development of concrete joint activities between the two ministries.
 

Agrologistics, cold chain and innovation

In the area of agrologistics, cold chain and post-harvest technology, cooperation focuses on reducing food losses and strengthening efficient supply chains across storage, transport and handling. This is also reflected in the official Innovation Mission to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, focused on cold chain logistics and post-harvest solutions:

Contact details

Agricultural department for the GCC-countries

Questions via e-mail, please use the contact form
Netherlands Agricultural Network in GCC | LinkedIn

For more information on the work of the Dutch agricultural network in the Gulf states, please visit AgroBerichtenBuitenland.nl (in Dutch)

Saudi Arabia:
  • Mrs. Simone Landhuis – Agricultural Counsellor for the GCC
  • Mr. Ivan Venantius – Agricultural Policy Advisor
  • Ms. Fatma Elmari – Agricultural Officer

Consulate-general in Dubai:

  • Mrs. Nienke Gelderloos  – Agricultural Advisor