South Korea has approximately the same population density as the Netherlands, but the intensity with which land is used for agriculture and horticulture is much higher. The average income per hectare of land used for agricultural and horticultural purposes in South Korea is almost three times as high as in the Netherlands. However, South Korean companies have, on average, only 1/10 of the amount of land available to the average Dutch company. These conclusions were reached in the course of a study carried out by the LEI Wageningen UR at the request of the Korean Rural Economics Research Institute and the Dutch Agricultural Council in Seoul.
For all of South Korea, the average income per inhabitant is roughly 1/2 the average income in the Netherlands. The average income earned in the agricultural and horticultural sector in the Netherlands is about 10% less than the overall average income in the Netherlands in South Korea, the average income in the agricultural and horticultural sector is about 40% less than the overall South Korean average. The contribution of the Dutch agricultural and horticultural sector to the net surplus in the trade balance is very high. In South Korea, it has a negative impact.
At the request of the parties who commissioned the study, the developments over the last few decades in the Dutch agricultural and horticultural sector and the rural areas were also described. In addition, this overview study identified the success factors behind the strong international position of the Dutch agricultural and horticultural sector. The previous, present and future policies of the European Union and the Dutch government as well as the effects of these policies were also analyzed.
The report includes an appendix with the addresses of the most important bodies, institutes and companies involved in the Dutch agricultural and horticultural sector.
Report 2009-039 Dutch agriculture and horticulture with a glance at South Korea; Policies and results in the past, present and future.