The food industry has a strong international focus: almost half of revenues (40% for SMEs) are generated abroad.

While Dutch business invested EUR 31.6 billion abroad in 2007, direct investments by foreign companies in the Dutch food industry amounted to EUR 44.4 billion in 2008.

The agricultural sector and the food/nutrition industry work closely together with Dutch producers of agro-food machines. The food industry production chain also includes suppliers of climate control systems, refrigeration and freezing installations, warehouse logistics, transport systems and other machinery.

Exports of machinery for the food industry rose by 39.5% between 2003 and 2008. Total exports accounted for more than EUR 1.2 billion in 2008. Approximately half of these exports are destined for the EU and 20% for the United States and Asia.

The sustainability of food products (and with that energy efficiency and minimization of waste water), as well as logistics and storage techniques are becoming increasingly important. These tendencies coinciding with the increasing competition require innovative solutions and collaboration along the production chain.

The strength of the Dutch food processing sector lies in its integral approach (“chain approach”) of food processing, cooling techniques, logistics, distribution and food safety. The companies comprising Food Tech Holland are specialised in different product groups as well as along the production chain.