Agriculture and Food - South Africa
Dutch agro technology, breeding materials, and management skills have proven their value worldwide in achieving high performance and efficiency in agribusiness operations. The embassy gives special attention to support sustainable value chains and to future-proof farming practices. The embassy works in an integrated manner by supporting the value chain as a whole and by making connections to specific challenges such as water supply, energy reduction, social responsibility, and biodiversity.
Horticulture
Horticulture is a key opportunity for development in SA, where Dutch companies and institutes can significantly be of help in getting results. The rising consumer demand for high-quality vegetables, flowers, and plants indicates the need for modern and sustainable production. Climate regulated greenhouses are needed to achieve high yields, product quality and reduce costs of inputs such as water, fertilizer, and energy. Dutch and South African organisations are currently working together in Grootvlei to develop climate-smart open-field and greenhouse farming.
Food processing
The next step in the value chain that gets the Embassy’s attention is food processing. Inappropriate handling of harvested products leads to losses of food and product value on its way to the consumer. The Dutch are keen on avoiding these losses and want to support with training and management techniques, storage and cooling systems, processing facilities and agro-logistics. These technologies are very useful for South Africa to remain competitive in the international markets. South Africa and the Netherlands have worked together on the e-certification system which has improved the export efficiency of fruit and vegetables.
Agricultural Opportunities
The Office of the Agricultural Counselor has conducted several market reports to provide a better understanding of the different agricultural sub-sectors in South Africa. If Dutch companies are interested in doing business in South Africa or learning about the opportunities, please send an email with full contact details of your company to our office:
Questions via e-mail, please use the contact form.
Food and Agriculture Industry Contacts
The Netherlands
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature
Ministerie van Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur | Rijksoverheid.nl
RVO – The Netherlands Enterprise Agency
Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland | RVO.nl
Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority – for information on import and export regulations.
NVWA
Netherlands Agriculture Attaché Network – Agroberichten Buitenland Website
Agroberichten Buitenland
Chamber of Commerce – each Dutch province has its own chamber of commerce.
www.kvk.nl
Southern Africa – Netherlands – Chamber of Commerce
https://www.sanec.org/
Netherlands – African Business Council
www.nabc.nl
South Africa
Department (Ministry) of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
South African Embassy in The Netherlands
www.zuidafrika.nl
Chief Directorate Food & Veterinary Services – for information on import and export regulations for animals and products thereof.
www.nda.agric.za/vetweb
Agricultural Research Council – a South African parastatal with a mandate of promoting Agriculture and Industry, to contribute to a better quality of life, and to facilitate and ensure resource conservation.
www.arc.agric.za
National Plant Protection Organisation – for information on import and export regulations for plants and related products.
nppoza.com
Southern Africa – Netherlands – Chamber of Commerce
https://www.sanec.org/
Land Bank – a specialist agricultural bank guided by a government mandate to provide financial services to the agricultural sector.
www.landbank.co.za
National Agricultural Marketing Council – a parastatal that advises the Minister of Agriculture and the South African Agriculture Industry on matters relating to the marketing of agricultural products.
www.namc.co.za