TRENDS

Plant-based eating: half of Dutch people need help

Swapping ground meat for lentils, or cow’s milk for a plant-based alternative. Through small swaps like these, Wissel ’ns Wat! aims to encourage Dutch people to eat plant-based foods more often. The approach focuses on o..

Global food prices drop by 2.1 percent in 2024

06 January 2025

Global food prices were, on average, 2.1 percent lower in 2024 compared to 2023. This is evident from the FAO Food Price Index, which closed the year with an average of 122.0 points. It marks the second consecutive year ...

Ending tail docking: change in the pig farming industry

02 January 2025

The routine docking of pig tails is about to disappear in Dutch pig farming. Due to stricter legislation coming into effect in 2030 and increased attention to animal welfare, the sector is working towards structural chan...

Strong price increases drive EU food exports

24 December 2024

The EU's agricultural and food trade saw a remarkable rise in September 2024. The trade surplus grew by 15% compared to August, reaching €6 billion. Despite this growth, it remains 10% lower than in September 2023. The t...

Vegamonitor: beans bring balance to the table

23 December 2024

The debate around meat and plant-based alternatives continues to stir emotions, especially during festive seasons. The Vegamonitor 2024 by the Vegetariërsbond highlights striking differences in eating habits and preferen...

New insights into the risks of perchlorate in food

19 December 2024

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a draft opinion on the health risks of perchlorate in food. This opinion, open for public consultation, responds to a request from the European Commission to reasse...

European demand for chicken rises, supply shifts

19 December 2024

The poultry sector continues to thrive in Europe, with a steady demand for chicken. However, Dutch production is declining, while other European countries are expanding, according to Rabobank. Prices under pressure fr...

Unilever sells Unox and Zwan to Zwanenberg

18 December 2024

Unilever has received a binding offer from Zwanenberg Food Group to acquire the Unox and Zwan brands. Both brands are icons in the Netherlands and Belgium, respectively. The sale of these brands aligns with Unilever’s...

Healthy incentives: encouraging a healthier food environment

17 December 2024

The number of overweight people in the Netherlands is rising rapidly. According to calculations by the RIVM, by 2050, as many as 64% of the population will be overweight. At the same time, 79% of the current food supply ...

European agriculture: transition in numbers

16 December 2024

Climate goals, economic pressure, and changing market conditions are having a major impact on European agriculture. Recent data from Eurostat shows how the sector is adapting. Production, sustainability, and labour marke...

Robotics in agriculture essential due to labor shortages

13 December 2024

The agriculture and horticulture sector is seeing volumes decline once again in 2024 compared to the previous year. However, the financial results of the sector remain positive, supported by stable prices and lower costs...

New insights improve the texture of plant-based meat

13 December 2024

The mouthfeel of plant-based meat alternatives remains a challenge for the industry. Consumers demand products with a structure closer to real meat, particularly for whole-cut alternatives. Recent research by Wageningen ...

Food industry under pressure due to law on labor migration

12 December 2024

After a period of rising prices, some stability seems to have returned to the food sector. However, growth remains stagnant due to structural challenges such as shortages of raw materials, declining exports, and a labor ...

200th V-Label client: a milestone for the Vegetariërsbond

12 December 2024

The Vegetariërsbond has reached an important milestone with its 200th V-Label client. The certification mark, now featured on over 5,000 products in the Netherlands, provides consumers with clear information about vegeta...

Circular food production crucial for biodiversity

11 December 2024

Circular food production and a shift towards more plant-based proteins offer significant opportunities to combat biodiversity loss and climate change. This approach could reduce land use and greenhouse gas emissions in E...