The Netherlands 'Hollywood of food'

Dutch manufacturers of food processing machinery have plenty opportunities for export. And they must use them and they must be first in innovation in order to stay in business.

This was one of the conclusions of a panel discussion during the annual conference of the Agricultural Counsellors and Attachés to Dutch embassies, on January 31st on the top Floor of the World Port Centre, Rotterdam. GMV members were invited to participate in this session.

The Netherlands is frequently called ‘Food Valley’, but this time scenario expert Mr. Paul de Ruijter, who carried out a scenario study with the GMV, spoke about ‘Hollywood of food’. Hollywood is the World centre of the movie industry. That is because the best producers, authors, technology etc. are concentrated there. Likewise the Dutch food cluster derives its strength from the triangle ‘Products (food chain), Systems (machines) and Knowledge institutions, and the cooperation between these three corners.

Mr Roel Bol (Director Trade & Industry of the Ministry of Agriculture) stimulated the sector to look for synergies and cooperation. He asked the Counsellors if they thought that stimulating export of Dutch machinery would undermine the strong position of Dutch food products on the world market. ‘No’, they said. ‘We have no choice, if we don’t stimulate export of our machines other manufacturing countries will do it. Counsellor Mr Hans Wolff (New Delhi) said: ‘Buying power in India is increasing rapidly and food processing companies have enough capital to invest in state-of-the-art machinery. The GMV motto is ‘Creating better food’. They published a DVD with that title, to show world wide what is the special strength of Dutch food processing and packaging machinery. GMV president Mr Jan Hak presented it officially to Mr. Cees Veerman, Minister of Agriculture of The Netherlands.

Foto: Van Sluys/GMV	Foto: Van Sluys/GMV	Foto: Van Sluys/GMV
Foto: Van Zeijl Photo Design	Foto: Van Zeijl Photo Design	Foto: Van Zeijl Photo Design