Wageningen, The Netherlands
February 15, 2012

Dutch companies producing propagation materials - seeds, seed tubers, seed onions and young plants for the agricultural and horticultural sectors - rank among the world's top in terms of turnover, trade and innovation.

This was the conclusion of a study performed by LEI, part of Wageningen UR.

Many of the largest producers of propagation materials are based in the Netherlands and this partially explains the strength of the agricultural and food sector in the Netherlands. The companies spend 15% of their turnover on research and development. As a result, the sector scores exceptionally highly in this regard.

On the global market for propagation materials, the Netherlands has a strong position. According to the researchers, almost 40% of the world's trade in goods associated with the horticultural and agricultural sectors originates from the Netherlands. In the case of seed potatoes, the share is almost 60%. The Netherlands' share in the European trade in propagation materials for ornamentals is more than 40%.

Website: http://www.wur.nl

Published: February 15, 2012