The Dutch food industry is thriving: key insights from the Monitor 2024

  • 19 March 2026

The Dutch food industry experienced impressive growth in 2023. Production value increased by 3.3% to 114.4 billion euros, while added value rose by no less than 39% to 21.3 billion euros. Employment also grew by 7%.

Each year, Decisio prepares the Food Industry Monitor on behalf of the Federation of the Dutch Food Industry (FNLI). The monitor shows that the Dutch food industry is not only growing, but also innovating and contributing to sustainability.

Growth and innovation

The sector continues to innovate and expand. The number of companies in the food industry increased by 8.3% in 2023, with a particularly strong rise in the number of micro‑enterprises. In addition, investments in Research & Development (R&D) grew by nearly 4%, helping the sector remain competitive and innovative.

Sustainability and costs

The industry is also making progress in sustainability. CO₂ emissions fell by 5.3%, contributing to broader climate objectives. At the same time, the costs of intermediate consumption stabilised, which has a positive effect on companies’ profitability.

International competitiveness

The Netherlands remains a strong player in the international market. The export value of the food industry increased by 27% in 2023 to 67.2 billion euros, further strengthening the country’s competitive position.

More information

For more information, please contact Thijs Visscher (t.visscher@decisio.nl) or Kees van Ommeren (c.vanommeren@decisio.nl). You can also reach us by phone at +31 (0)20 670 05 62.

See also