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12 Jan 2010
Unit:
LEI
 In 2009, the agricultural and horticultural sector was hit hard by the economic recession (credit crisis) that began in the second half of 2008. Although production volumes were not influenced by the recession, sales of many products were lower than in times of normal economic conditions. Exports were hampered by the credit problems and the weaker currencies of various countries. Exports are of particular significance to the Dutch agricultural and horticultural sector since the majority of the produce is destined for foreign markets. The agricultural markets are characterised by the potential high volatility of prices following slight changes in supply or demand. As a result, the decline in demand in a number of markets seen in 2009 was in part the reason for a substantial decline in the price of many products. This in turn – and following the substantial decline in the results for 2008 – resulted in a further considerable decline in the results achieved by the overall agricultural and horticultural sector in 2009. The lower prices reduced the margins between sales proceeds and the costs in the agricultural and horticultural sector and, in turn, resulted in a sharp decline in incomes.
Report Recent developments in the results and incomes realised in the agricultural and horticultural sectors, 2009 (only in Dutch)
Summary
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