• Ecotone leads the organic segment in the Netherlands with a value share of 20.6% in 2023, followed by Schnitzer GmbH & Co KG with a value share of 13.5% and Arla Foods Amba with a share of 6.5%. 
• The Netherlands rank 28th globally in terms of market size, with a value of US$310.4 mn in 2023. It is the 12th largest market in Western Europe, while also ranking as one of the smallest in the region for per capita consumption.

• Organic products in the Netherlands represent roughly 0.5% of global demand and 1.4% of the market in the Western Europe region, recording a per capita expenditure of US$17.5 in 2023. 
• The Dutch market for organic products is projected to increase with a value CAGR of 1.0% for the forecast period 2023-2028 in 2023 constant prices with fixed USD exchange rates, reaching a value of US$326.5 mn by 2028.

• The Organic Packaged Food and Beverages category in the Netherlands registered a value increase of 2.1% in 2023 in current prices to record a market size of US$310.4 million. 
• During the historic period of 2019-2023, the Organic Packaged Food category registered a CAGR of 10.1% in current prices. For the forecast period from 2023 to 2028, the growth is expected to stagnate, with a projected CAGR of just 0.6% in constant prices.
• Organic Beverages grew historically at 11.6% current CAGR, and its growth is expected to slow down to 2.4% constant CAGR over the forecast period.
• Growth in Organic Packaged Food was primarily driven by Organic Staple Foods, which recorded a 16.5% current CAGR during the historic period. For the forecast period, Organic Cooking Ingredients and Meals is expected to have the highest growth out of all the Packaged Food categories with a constant CAGR of 2.4%.
• Within Organic Beverages, Organic Soft Drinks led historic growth with a current CAGR of 22.2%, with Organic Hot Drinks set to lead forecast growth with a constant CAGR of 2.5%.

• Dutch consumers have become increasingly interested in the ingredients of their food and drinks, concerned about their daily health while aiming to prevent long-term health problems. This has led consumers to avoid certain ingredients, such as lactose, animal products, fat, sugar and salt. According to Euromonitor International's Voice of the Consumer from January-February 2024, 40% of consumers in the Netherlands look for products that contain healthy ingredients in their food and beverages, with 21% of the respondents also stating that they closely read the nutritional labels of food and beverages.
• As consumers become more health-conscious, they increasingly value natural and fresh products while looking for food and drink free from artificial ingredients. Manufacturers have evolved to respond to these demands, introducing natural ingredients, organic options, and formulas that reduce salt, sugar, and fat content while utilizing the natural claim. This will also help the organic claim, which is sometimes perceived as interchangeable with natural.

• Schnitzer GmbH & Co KG is leading the Organic Packaged Food category with a market share of 17.8% in 2023, growing 0.2 p.p. from the previous year. The company offers a variety of bread and bakery products with various claims such as gluten-free, vegan, high on fiber and organic. 
• Ecotone continued to lead Organic Beverages in 2023 with a market share of 50.0%. However, the company has lost 11.4 p.p. of market share since 2019 as a surge in Organic Teas has seen companies diversifying their offering of organic beverages.

• Vegan and plant-based products will gain ground across the forecast period, driven by interest in the environment, animal welfare and the health benefits that plant-based diet brings. This will be aided by recovering disposable budgets and the increase in vegetarians, vegans and flexitarian consumers. Dutch consumers will also look to vegan and plant-based goods in a bid to consume less harmful ingredients associated with more traditional products, with vegan products predominantly accompanied by gluten free and good source of antioxidant claims, widening appeal for products offering fortified properties, while some consumers increasingly avoid gluten with the perception of improving gut health.
• Across the forecast period, sales of Organic Hot Drinks are set to grow, with retail sales projected to rise at a 2.5% constant value CAGR to reach US$68.6 million in 2028, the largest percentage growth of all organic categories. Dutch consumer health and wellness knowledge will continue to shape product demand, within Hot Drinks, with products catering to dietary requirements, including intolerances, will experience popularity, in addition to goods that respond to dietary demands. Across the forecast period, Organic Tea will be the leading product in the Organic Hot Drinks landscape, reaching sales of US$51.1 million, supported by a forecast CAGR of 1.0%.

• High levels of sugar in both hot and soft drinks is one of the biggest concerns for consumers when choosing what to drink, with the no sugar claim being the main beneficiary of this awareness. Driving the migration from sugar to no sugar options has been increasing media coverage and awareness surrounding a high sugar, salt or fat intake being causes of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and strokes. In response, players in the industry have focused innovations on no sugar options, aiming to also maintain a satisfying taste and flavor experience
• Nutri-Score, the front-of-pack nutrition label designed to help consumers make healthier food choices, was approved by the Dutch government and began implementation in January 2024. The label grades products from A (healthiest) to E (least healthy) based on their nutritional content. In line with the adoption of this design as the official voluntary nutrition labelling scheme, Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn has expanded the use of Nutri-Score across its entire product range, including both own-brand and branded items. The retailer began introducing the label in 2021 and is now making it a standard feature across all its stores, reinforcing its commitment to promoting transparency and healthier diets among consumers.

Economy: 

• Netherlands's economy is projected to recover slightly in 2025, with GDP growth expected at 1.5% after growing at 1.0% in 2024. This performance is primarily supported by increases in private consumption and government spending, alongside a gradual decline in inflation.
• Real GDP growth is anticipated to remain at similar levels, reaching 1.4% in 2026 and averaging around 1.3% annually through 2028.
• Inflation closed 2024 at 3.3% and is expected to decelerate further to 2.9% in 2025.

 Population demographics: 

• The Netherlands’ population reached 17.9 million in 2024 and is projected to grow by 0.6% to 18.1 million in 2025. The country’s median age is slightly higher than the average for Western Europe, driven by an increase in percentage of the population aged 65+ from 19.5% in 2020 to 20.5% in 2024. 
• The median age in the Netherlands was recorded at 42.5 years in 2024, a decrease of 0.2 years from 2020. 

Income & expenditure: 

• The savings ratio in the Netherlands reached 10.4% of disposable income in 2024, continuing a slight increase from previous years, driven by a strong pension system and Dutch people willingness to invest.
• Consumer expenditure per capita grew by 3.0% in 2024 in current USD terms. In constant USD, it is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 0.7% through 2028. This growth is likely driven by increased spending on education, although housing is projected to remain the largest consumer spending category.
• Disposable income per capita was US$32,371 in 2024. It is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 0.4% through 2028, growing at a smaller pace than the average for Western Europe.

1 Health and Wellness Definition: Health and wellness is the aggregation of organic packaged food and beverages, fortified/functional packaged food and beverages, naturally healthy packaged food and beverages, better for you packaged food and beverages and food intolerance products.

The above definition and more can be referenced from the definitions table at the end of the report

² Economic and Demographic Data has been updated to reflect final 2024 estimates, therefore using 2024 as the base year for exchange rates and prices. 

³ Historic current prices and forecast constant 2024 prices.

Top 5 Cities By Population

Top 5 Grocery Retailers By Sales

Top 5 Export Commodities To Netherlands

Note : Total organics is the sum of all exports to a country within a year

Authorized Government Agency(s):

Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, the competent authority for organic agriculture in the Netherlands.

European Union (EU) Member States retain the authority to determine additional requirements for production within their country. They can also determine exceptions due to catastrophic circumstances, but cannot restrict access to products in compliance with EU regulations. In addition, the EC delegates most authority for the administration of organic programs to the Member States.

Name(s) of Regulation and/or Standard:

The European Union has an Equivalency Agreement with the United States.

This 2022 consolidated version repeals and replaces previous organic regulations and contains the basic legislative act plus amendments and corrections that set the rules on organic production and labeling of organic products: EU 2018/848 (pdf in English) 

Key secondary acts not included in consolidated EU 2018/848 include: 

• Retroactive recognition for the purpose of conversion, the production of organic products and information to be provided by EU countries: EU 2020/464 (pdf in English)
• Conditions for authorization and lists of authorized products and substances for use in organic production: EU 2021/1165 (pdf in English)
• Supplemental rules on the official control, traceability and mass balance checks for operators and groups of operators: EU 2021/771 (pdf in English)

A full list of basic legislative act and secondary acts is available here.

Date of Implementation: 1992

Regulation and/or Standard Scope:

EU standards cover crop, livestock, processing, and certification of groups of operators. Farm and handling plans are required, as well as detailed record keeping and detailed livestock feed standards.  Specific standards are included for aquaculture, seaweed, yeast, bees, sprouted seeds, chicory heads, wine, mushrooms, and salt. Criteria for determining allowed materials include consistency with the objectives and principles of organic farming, and materials must be of plant, animal, microbial or mineral origin. Synthetic substances, however, may be used when they replicate the natural sources and when they are approved for organic production in the EU.

EU requires that imported organic products meet EU standards. Non-EU organic products must include country of origin labeling if they wish to use the EU organic logo. Use of the EU organic logo is not required for products from outside the EU. EU requires that imported products must be from countries that have been recognized by the EU (third-countries) and certified by recognized control bodies (certifiers); or countries with bilateral equivalency arrangements (Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, U.S.); or countries with equivalency agreements (Chile, Switzerland, UK).

List of third countries and the list of control authorities and control bodies recognized for the purpose of importing organic products into the EU: EU 2021/2325 (pdf in English)

Requirements have been established for importers, operators responsible for the consignments, first consignees and consignees for the import of organic and in-conversion products into the EU.

Documents and notification required EU 2021/2307 (pdf in English)

Beginning February 3, 2020, port of entry health authorities will only endorse a certificate of inspection if the certifier issued it prior to export. Certain sections of the certificates (boxes 13, 16, and 17) may be filled in with provisional information, since certifiers can not verify all of the data before the product is exported. The provisional information must be confirmed/updated within 10 days, and before the certificate can be endorsed at the port of entry.

Exports from the U.S. to EU must adhere to the EU procedures and require an EU Certificate of Inspection (COI). A USDA-accredited certifying agent must complete an electronic COI through the European Union's Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) before the product leaves the U.S. Certain edits to the COI may only be made within 10 days of issuing the original COI.

EU Trade in Organics

The EU requires organic certification for all those involved in production and handling, including importers. EU requires ALL processing operations to be certified, even if those products are below the 95% threshold for the "Organic" label.

EU delegates the authority for investigations, non compliance, mediation, and testing, as well as reporting, exclusion from organic sale, emergency treatments and appeals to the Member States in accordance with their respective control system plans.

The EU allows private sector standards for the product categories, such as cosmetics and textiles, which are not fully regulated by the EU.  In the EU certifiers (control bodies) can require additional organic crop, livestock and processing standards in association with the use of their certification seal.

The EU has unified the control systems that Member States and control bodies implement for investigations, non-compliance, mediation, testing, reporting, exclusion from organic sale, emergency treatments and appeals.  Required reports, records and certificates are submitted in electronic format through the use of the Organic Farming Information System.  

In addition to the EU organic regulations for certification and accreditation procedures, the requirements of EN 45011 and ISO Guide 65 for accreditation must be met. 

Requirements for recognition of control authorities and control bodies: EU 2021/1698 (pdf in English)

Use of Organic Farming Information System and templates for annual reports: EU 2021/1935 (pdf in English)

Record keeping and declaration requirements from operators and groups of operators EU 2021/2119 (pdf in English)

List of control authorities and control bodies for equivalence 

Control bodies in the European Union

Skal Biocontrole is the designated control authority and approved control body responsible for the inspection and certification of organic companies in the Netherlands. The up-to-date directory of Dutch control bodies is published by the EU.

FiBL Country reports
U.S. International Trade Administration

USDA’s GAIN Report The Organic Market in the Netherlands (2021)
USDA’s GAIN Report Netherlands Food Service Hotel Restaurant Institutional (2024)
USDA’s GAIN Report Netherlands Exporter Guide (2024)
USDA's GAIN Report Netherlands Food Processing Ingredients (2024)
USDA's GAIN Report Netherlands Retail Foods (2024)
USDA's GAIN Report Overview of the Dutch Beer Market (2021)
USDA’s GAIN Report COVID-19 Impact on the Dutch Foodservice-HRI Industry (2020)
USDA’s GAIN Report Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Export Certificate Report Annual (2024)
USDA’s GAIN Report Netherlands Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report (2024)

USDA's GAIN Report Economic Woes Slows Growth in EU Organic Sales (2024)
USDA’s GAIN Report EU Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report (2024)
USDA’s GAIN Report EU Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Export Certificate Report Annual(2023)
USDA's GAIN Report EU 2024 Promotion Programs for Agricultural Products (2023)
USDA's GAIN Report EU Adopts New Rules for Organic Pet Food (2023)
USDA’s GAIN Report Procedure for EU TRACES Registration of Honey and Other Apiculture Products Establishments - New EU Market Access Rules from 29 November 2024 (2024)
USDA’S GAIN Report EU Consumers save on food and buy less organic in 2022 (2023)
USDA’S GAIN Report COVID-19 Boosts Organic Food Sales in the EU (2022)
USDA’S GAIN Report Update on Changing EU Import Conditions for Composite Products (2022)
USDA’S GAIN Report European Commission Launches Public Consultation on the Revision of EU Food Labeling Requirements (2022)
USDA’S GAIN Report New EU Labeling Rules for Wines (2022)
USDA’S GAIN Report Continuing Good Prospects for US Organic Exports to the EU (2021)
USDA’S GAIN Report New EU Organic Regulation Entering Into Force in 2021 Regulatory Update (2020)
USDA’S GAIN Report EU Launches Consultation on Future Organics Action Plan (Sept. 2020)
USDA’S GAIN Report Food Labeling Initiatives in the EU Farm to Fork Strategy (2020)
USDA’S GAIN Report Pesticides Initiatives in the EU Farm to Fork Strategy (2020)
USDA’S GAIN Report Good Prospects for US Organic Exports in the EU (2020)