Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 10/31/2006

**GAIN Report Number:** NL6064

NL6064

**Netherlands**

**Exporter Guide**

**Annual**

**2006**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Roger Wentzel

U.S. Embassy, The Hague

**Prepared by:**

Marcel Pinckaers

**Report Highlights:**

This report provides an overview for U.S. companies interested in
exporting to the Benelux (Belgium, Luxembourg & Netherlands), focusing
on exports of consumer-oriented food, beverages and edible fishery
products.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

The Hague \[NL1\]

\[NL\]

Table of Contents

[SECTION I. Market Overview 3](#section-i.-market-overview)

[Economic Situation 3](#economic-situation)

[The Netherlands 3](#the-netherlands)

[The Size And Growth Rate For The Consumer Foods And Edible Fishery
Product Markets
4](#the-size-and-growth-rate-for-the-consumer-foods-and-edible-fishery-product-markets)

[The Need for Convenience 6](#the-need-for-convenience)

[Food Safety 6](#food-safety)

[Organic Food 6](#organic-food)

[SECTION II. Exporter Business Tips
7](#section-ii.-exporter-business-tips)

[Local Business Customs 7](#local-business-customs)

[General Consumer Tastes and Preferences
7](#general-consumer-tastes-and-preferences)

[Food Standards & Regulations and General Import & Inspection Procedures
7](#food-standards-regulations-and-general-import-inspection-procedures)

[SECTION III. Market Sector Structure and Trends
8](#section-iii.-market-sector-structure-and-trends)

[Market Overview -- Food Retail 8](#market-overview-food-retail)

[Market Overview -- Food Service 9](#market-overview-food-service)

[Market Overview -- Food Processing
11](#market-overview-food-processing)

[SECTION IV. Best High-Value Product Prospects
13](#section-iv.-best-high-value-product-prospects)

[SECTION V. Key Contacts And Further Information
14](#section-v.-key-contacts-and-further-information)

[APPENDIX 16](#appendix)

[Table A. Key Trade & Demographic Information for the Netherlands &
Belgium
16](#table-a.-key-trade-demographic-information-for-the-netherlands-belgium)

[Table B. Consumer Food & Edible Fishery Product Imports
17](#table-b.-consumer-food-edible-fishery-product-imports)

[Table C. Top 15 Suppliers of Consumer Foods & Edible Fishery Products
19](#table-c.-top-15-suppliers-of-consumer-foods-edible-fishery-products)

# SECTION I. Market Overview

## Economic Situation

## The Netherlands

Economic growth in 2006 is expected to come out strong at an estimated
3.25 %, up from 1.5 % in 2005. This positive trend is expected to
continue in 2007. Based on current budget proposals, the Netherlands
Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB) has provided an official
estimate for 2007 economic growth of 3.0 %.

![](media/image2.wmf){width="2.9895833333333335in"
height="3.4895833333333335in"}

Overall growth continues to be driven by exports, which were up by 8.3
and 6.9 percent in the first two quarters of 2006 compared to the first
two quarters of last year. In 2006, a 2 % increase in consumer spending
is expected to become the second driver of growth, The increase in
consumer spending is mostly due to a general increase in people's net
income for the first year since 2002 . For 2007, the cabinet has
proposed measures to cut real taxes by 1 billion euros, which it
believes should boost private spending further.

Inflation has been below the euro area average for the last three years
and is estimated to come out at 1.25% in 2006. The difference between
the Netherlands and the eurozone is partly due to a price war between
the major super market franchises, which has contributed to drive the
prices of food and beverages to well below the eurozone average.

Figure 1: Key Data Dutch Economy

  ------------------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------
                            2005           2006\*           2007\*\*

  Economic Growth %         1.5            3.25             3.0

  Inflation (CPI) %         1.7            1.25             1.5

  Unemployment %            6.5            5.5              4.5

  GDP                       € billion      € billion        € billion
  ------------------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics

\* estimate, \*\* forecast

**Belgium**

Economic growth in 2006 is expected to increase by 2.5% up from 1.1% in
2005. Inflation is expected to be 1.8% this year, lower compared to last
year's percentage. Unemployment in Belgium is slightly lower than EU
average (8.9%). Just like the Dutch, the Belgians spend around 15% of
their total spending on food.

Figure 2: Key Data Belgian Economy

  ------------------------ --------------- --------------- ---------------
                           2005            2006\*          2007\*\*

  Economic Growth %        1.1             2.5             2.0

  Inflation (CPI) %        2.8             1.8             1.8

  Unemployment %           8.4             8.2             8.2

  GDP                      €298 billion    €311 billion    €324 billion
  ------------------------ --------------- --------------- ---------------

Source: National Bank of Belgium

\* estimates, \*\* forecast

## The Size And Growth Rate For The Consumer Foods And Edible Fishery Product Markets

+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Figure 3: US Exports Of        |      |      |      |      |      |
| Consumer-Oriented Agricultural |      |      |      |      |      |
| And Fish & Seafood Products    |      |      |      |      |      |
|                                |      |      |      |      |      |
| x US\$ 1,000                   |      |      |      |      |      |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| US exports to                  | CY   | CY   | CY   | Jan- | Jan- |
| Belgium/Netherlands/Luxembourg |      |      |      | July | July |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
|                                | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2005 | 2006 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Consumer-Oriented Agricultural | 708  | 755  | 861  | 457  | 508  |
| Total                          | ,336 | ,629 | ,107 | ,845 | ,256 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Snack Foods (Excl Nuts)        | 10   | 10   | 12   | 7    | 6    |
|                                | ,967 | ,816 | ,581 | ,299 | ,085 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Breakfast Cereals & Pancake    | 481  | 3    | 1    | 889  | 829  |
| Mix                            |      | ,870 | ,553 |      |      |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Red Meats,                     | 13   | 18   | 34   | 17   | 18   |
| Fresh/Chilled/Frozen           | ,128 | ,933 | ,084 | ,681 | ,056 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Red Meats, Prepared/Preserved  | 1    | 1    | 1    | 761  | 321  |
|                                | ,052 | ,510 | ,289 |      |      |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Poultry Meat                   | 10   | 1    | 651  | 453  | 313  |
|                                | ,568 | ,070 |      |      |      |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Dairy Products                 | 16   | 23   | 10   | 6    | 10   |
|                                | ,747 | ,446 | ,374 | ,214 | ,441 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Eggs & Products                | 5    | 2    | 3    | 1    | 4    |
|                                | ,616 | ,722 | ,876 | ,868 | ,167 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Fresh Fruit                    | 30   | 37   | 42   | 27   | 13   |
|                                | ,839 | ,108 | ,745 | ,897 | ,216 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Fresh Vegetables               | 13   | 11   | 8    | 6    | 6    |
|                                | ,330 | ,229 | ,781 | ,165 | ,313 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Processed Fruit & Vegetables   | 63   | 54   | 57   | 34   | 39   |
|                                | ,468 | ,265 | ,511 | ,618 | ,956 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Fruit & Vegetable Juices       | 115  | 103  | 94   | 51   | 80   |
|                                | ,478 | ,226 | ,362 | ,190 | ,526 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Tree Nuts                      | 176  | 208  | 335  | 146  | 169  |
|                                | ,053 | ,903 | ,412 | ,880 | ,378 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Wine & Beer                    | 88   | 99   | 46   | 29   | 31   |
|                                | ,931 | ,622 | ,272 | ,141 | ,619 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Nursery Products & Cut Flowers | 54   | 64   | 64   | 37   | 37   |
|                                | ,989 | ,649 | ,175 | ,246 | ,612 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Pet Foods (Dog & Cat Food)     | 31   | 18   | 26   | 14   | 19   |
|                                | ,837 | ,553 | ,812 | ,312 | ,677 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Other Consumer-Oriented        | 74   | 95   | 120  | 75   | 69   |
| Products                       | ,850 | ,707 | ,630 | ,232 | ,945 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
|                                |      |      | 0    | 0    | 0    |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Fish & Seafood Products,       | 112  | 138  | 183  | 81   | 85   |
| Edible                         | ,117 | ,183 | ,161 | ,344 | ,618 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Salmon, Whole Or Eviscerated   | 4    | 6    | 11   | 1    | 1    |
|                                | ,297 | ,290 | ,158 | ,205 | ,095 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Salmon, Canned                 | 8    | 7    | 9    | 4    | 4    |
|                                | ,495 | ,225 | ,124 | ,834 | ,789 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Crab & Crabmeat                | 119  | 125  | 341  | 199  | 1    |
|                                |      |      |      |      | ,218 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Surimi (Fish Paste)            | 5    | 3    | 14   | 9    | 4    |
|                                | ,115 | ,842 | ,995 | ,396 | ,359 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Roe & Urchin (Fish Eggs)       | 1    | 5    | 4    | 1    | 850  |
|                                | ,071 | ,673 | ,752 | ,332 |      |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+
| Other Edible Fish & Seafood    | 93   | 115  | 142  | 64   | 73   |
|                                | ,022 | ,028 | ,790 | ,378 | ,308 |
+--------------------------------+------+------+------+------+------+

Source: BICO

**Key Demographic developments and the Impact on Consumer Buying
Habits**

The Benelux has over 26.7 million inhabitants and is the most densely
populated region in the EU, with 412 people per square kilometer. More
than two-thirds of its slowly growing population lives in a 100 mile
corridor stretching from Amsterdam to Brussels. There are some 11.5
million households with an average size of 2.3 people.

Figure 4: Key Figures Benelux

  -------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
                                               2004          2005

  Population                                   26.6 million  26.7 million

  Number of Households                         11.4 million  11.5 million

  Household Size                               2.3           2.3
  -------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------

Source: CBS, Statbel

The trend toward smaller household size will continue and the population
is aging (almost 15 percent of the population is 65 years or older).

Figure 5: Dutch Population by Age Group in percentage

  -------- -------- --------- --------- ---------- ------ -----------------
  Year     0 - 19   20 -- 39  40 - 64   65 -- 79   80+    Total Population

  1963     38.1     26.4      26.1      7.9        1.5    11,889,962

  1973     35.0     29.0      25.6      8.6        1.8    13,387,623

  1983     29.7     32.6      26.0      9.4        2.4    14,339,551

  1993     24.6     32.9      29.5      10.0       3.0    15,239,182

  2003     24.5     28.6      33.2      10.4       3.4    16,192,572

  2006\*   24.3     26.9      34.5      10.7       3.6    16,334,210
  -------- -------- --------- --------- ---------- ------ -----------------

Source: CBS, \*estimate from CBS

The non-Dutch population in the Netherlands (20%) has grown by 5 percent
during the past 2 years whereas the population with Dutch ethnicity grew
during the same period by only 1.1 percent. As a result there has been
strong growth in the number of stores serving ethnic niche markets and
demand for non-traditional Dutch food. The non-Belgian population in
Belgium is much smaller and accounts for only 7%.

Figure 6: Main Non-Dutch Population by Ethnicity

  ------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                           2003        2004        2005        2006\*

  Indonesian               400,622     398,502     396,080     393,057

  Turkish                  341,400     351,648     358,846     364,333

  Surinamese               320,658     325,281     329,430     331,890

  Moroccan                 295,332     306,219     315,821     323,239

  Netherlands Antilles &   129,312     130,722     130,538     129,683
  Aruba                                                        
  ------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Source: CBS

\*estimates

Figure 7: Main Non-Belgian Population by Ethnicity

  ----------------------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
                                2003          2004          2005

  Italian                       193,000       190,000       186,000

  French                        113,000       115,000       118,000

  Dutch                         92,000        94,000        97,000

  Moroccan                      106,000       101,000       94,000

  Turkish                       59,000        56,000        53,000
  ----------------------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

Source: Statbel.

Figure 8: Advantages and Challenges, US Products Face In The Benelux

  ------------ ------------------------------- ------------ ---------------------------------
  Advantages                                   Challenges   

  ◊            Affluent and open minded        ◊            Saturated markets
               consumers                                    

  ◊            Highly developed                ◊            Transportation costs and time
               infrastructure, trade history                
               and mentality                                

  ◊            Strong interest in buying new   ◊            Competition from local companies
               and innovative products and/or               
               concepts                                     

  ◊            Favorable image of American     ◊            Tariffs and Non-Tariff trade
               products                                     barriers
  ------------ ------------------------------- ------------ ---------------------------------

Source: USDA

## The Need for Convenience

During the past 5 decades women have become increasingly active in the
work force. The Benelux ranks among the highest in Europe of women
working outside the home. At the same time, the Netherlands has the
highest rate of women working part time.

Since time has become more scarce, consumers want to spend a minimum of
time on dinner preparation. This, in combination with the increase in
double income households, has been the main force behind the increasing
demand for convenience food. Consumers increasingly want portioned,
easy-to-prepare, healthy and tasty meals.

## Food Safety

Safety of food products remains another issue for consumers. Because of
a number of food safety scares during past years, this issue has become
more important to consumers. These crises prompted the government and
many other organizations to focus on consumer demands for safe and
traceable products. Retailers, processors and producers are setting up
traceable supply chains to minimize risks and regain consumers' trust.

More information on food safety (including traceability) can found on
<http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/foodsafe.html> and
<http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp> GAIN BE 6007
and NL 6025.

## Organic Food

Recent figures show that although consumer are increasingly buying more
organic products (mainly bread and dairy products) the organic industry
still remains a niche industry and has an overall 1.8 percent market
share in the Benelux. More information on the Benelux market for organic
products can be found on
<http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp> GAIN NL 6024.

# SECTION II. Exporter Business Tips

## Local Business Customs

Following are some characteristics of doing business in the Netherlands,
Belgium or Luxembourg:

-   The majority of the business people speak English (especially in the
    Netherlands) and have a high level of education (Masters or
    Bachelors degree).

-   Generally speaking, they are straightforward and business minded.
    They want to be well informed on the product/service and the
    counterpart before doing business. At the same time they do not want
    to waste their time and can be quick decision makers.

-   Due to the increasing power by retailers and changing consumers'
    demands, food processors are increasingly looking for long-term
    partnerships rather than a one-off business transaction.

-   Importers are now, due to the growing economy, more than before
    looking for added value, healthy or unique products for their
    customer.

## General Consumer Tastes and Preferences 

As a result of changing demographics, the need for convenience, food
safety and the threat of obesity, consumer preferences are changing.

Figure 9: Consumer Trends

  --------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
  Consumers'      
  needs and       
  preferences:    

  Health:         natural ingredients - lower calories -- no sugar -- healthy
                  meals

  Convenience:    fresh pre-packed food components -- take-away -- fresh
                  ready-to-eat meals

  Price:          discount - special offers -- higher prices as long as they
                  can be justified

  Distribution:   more specialty shops

  Food Safety:    more information -- more guarantees

  Stores:         personalized service -- wider assortment- more fresh and
                  non-food -- convenience foods -- while at the same time
                  there is huge demand for limited assortment as long as the
                  products are low cost
  --------------- -----------------------------------------------------------

Source: USDA

## Food Standards & Regulations and General Import & Inspection Procedures

A detailed report on import regulation standards and also on general
import and inspection procedures can be found on the FAS homepage: GAIN
Report Number: NL6025 and BE6007.
[http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp]{.underline}

# SECTION III. Market Sector Structure and Trends

## Market Overview -- Food Retail

In the Benelux, the food retail industry had a total turnover of about
43 billion EURO in 2005. Total turnover is finally going up, after an
almost three year period of Dutch retailers fighting each other on
prices. The price war led to Laurus, second largest food retailer in
Netherlands, selling two of their formulas, for more information on
Laurus, please go to
<http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp> and search for
GAIN Report NL 6017.

The food retail industry in the Benelux is highly consolidated and quite
often retailers even work together in purchase organizations which
consolidates the market even more. The figure below reflects the level
of consolidation.

Figure 10: Retailers in Belgium

+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+
| Company name          | market share in       | market share on the  |
|                       | retail market         | purchase side        |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+
| Carrefour             | 24.8%                 | 26.9%                |
|                       |                       |                      |
| \- Mestdagh           | 2.1%                  |                      |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+
| Delhaize              | 20.2%                 | 21.5%                |
|                       |                       |                      |
| \- DistriGroup 21     | 1.0%                  |                      |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+
| Colruyt               | 16.9%                 | 20.6%                |
|                       |                       |                      |
| \- Spar               | 2.6%                  |                      |
|                       |                       |                      |
| \- Alvo               | 1.1%                  |                      |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+
| Aldi                  | 11.2%                 | 11.2%                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+
| Louis Delhaize        | 2.0%                  | 9.0%                 |
|                       |                       |                      |
| \- Cora               | 3.9%                  |                      |
|                       |                       |                      |
| \- Match              | 1.6%                  |                      |
|                       |                       |                      |
| \- Other              | 1.5%                  |                      |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+
| Lidl                  | 3.9%                  | 3.9%                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+
| Other                 |                       | 6.9%                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+

Source: Store Check

Figure 11: Retailers in the Netherlands

+----------------------------+------------------+---+--------------------+
| Company name               | market share in  | m |                    |
|                            | retail market    | a |                    |
|                            |                  | r |                    |
|                            |                  | k |                    |
|                            |                  | e |                    |
|                            |                  | t |                    |
|                            |                  | s |                    |
|                            |                  | h |                    |
|                            |                  | a |                    |
|                            |                  | r |                    |
|                            |                  | e |                    |
|                            |                  | o |                    |
|                            |                  | n |                    |
|                            |                  | t |                    |
|                            |                  | h |                    |
|                            |                  | e |                    |
|                            |                  | p |                    |
|                            |                  | u |                    |
|                            |                  | r |                    |
|                            |                  | c |                    |
|                            |                  | h |                    |
|                            |                  | a |                    |
|                            |                  | s |                    |
|                            |                  | e |                    |
|                            |                  | s |                    |
|                            |                  | i |                    |
|                            |                  | d |                    |
|                            |                  | e |                    |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+--------------------+
| Albert Heijn               | 26.4%            | 2 |                    |
|                            |                  | 6 |                    |
|                            |                  | . |                    |
|                            |                  | 4 |                    |
|                            |                  | % |                    |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+--------------------+
| Laurus                     | 14.3%            | 1 |                    |
|                            |                  | 4 |                    |
|                            |                  | . |                    |
|                            |                  | 3 |                    |
|                            |                  | % |                    |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+--------------------+
| Schuitema/C1000            | 14.8%            | 1 |                    |
|                            |                  | 4 |                    |
|                            |                  | . |                    |
|                            |                  | 8 |                    |
|                            |                  | % |                    |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+--------------------+
| Aldi                       | 9.5%             | 9 |                    |
|                            |                  | . |                    |
|                            |                  | 5 |                    |
|                            |                  | % |                    |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+--------------------+
| Lidl                       | 3.8%             | 3 |                    |
|                            |                  | . |                    |
|                            |                  | 8 |                    |
|                            |                  | % |                    |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+--------------------+
| Superunie                  | 4.6%             | 2 |                    |
|                            |                  | 5 |                    |
| \- Plus                    | 3.1%             | . |                    |
|                            |                  | 9 |                    |
| \- Jumbo                   | 1.9%             | % |                    |
|                            |                  |   |                    |
| \- Coop                    | 1.4%             |   |                    |
|                            |                  |   |                    |
| \- Spar                    | 14.9%            |   |                    |
|                            |                  |   |                    |
| \- Other                   |                  |   |                    |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+--------------------+
| Dirk van den Broek         |                  |   | 4.4%               |
| Bedrijven                  |                  |   |                    |
|                            |                  |   |                    |
| \- Bas van der Heijden     |                  |   |                    |
|                            |                  |   |                    |
| \- Dirk van den Broek      |                  |   |                    |
|                            |                  |   |                    |
| \- Digros                  |                  |   |                    |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+--------------------+

Source: AC Nielsen

Besides the traditional supermarket chains as discussed above, we see
new firms entering the food retail market. Not only non food retailers
like Ikea, HEMA and V&D increasingly sell food products, it's the
upscale department stores (like de Bijenkorf) and independent specialty
stores that start selling, mainly specialty, food products and drinks.
Their focus, so far, has been on sauces, condiments, snacks and
specialty drinks. Finally we see that, in this segment, US products are
competing with English, Australian and Canadian products for shelf
space.

Traditional butcher and fruit & vegetable shops but also small
independent family run supermarkets are losing market share. The
supermarkets are either bought by big retailer chains or are closed
down. The traditional butcher and fruit & vegetable shops are
increasingly changing into specialty shops and the majority of these
have moved into making meal components or into catering. By adding more
value to their once basic products, they manage to stay in business and
serve products that the regular retailer does not sell.

## Market Overview -- Food Service

Figures indicate that 70 percent of food expenditures in the Benelux
wind up in supermarket tills; however their share of the total food
dollar has been declining. Analysts expect the hotel and restaurant and
institutional food service (HRI) market share to grow further to
approximately 40 percent of total food expenditures (especially in the
Netherlands). This is the result of increasing disposable income,
scarcity of time for cooking and continued increases in the number of
working women. The turnover of the Benelux HRI foodservice industry in
2005 was €16 billion.

Unfortunately, potential U.S. sales to the foodservice industry are
hampered by the same obstacles that limit sales to the retail sector.
Basic products such as beef, chicken and pork are essentially barred
from the market due to sanitary restrictions, while high tariffs and the
restrictions on many biotech products keep processed foods from the US
off store shelves.

The Benelux fast-food sector and catering industries are highly
consolidated. A few international and national players dominate those
sub sectors. The other HRI sub sectors, like restaurants, cafés/bars and
kiosks, are highly fragmented. In general they are independently
operated companies with their own purchase patterns and buyers.

Figure 13: Leading Fast-Food Companies in the Benelux

![](media/image3.wmf){width="6.0in"
height="1.0229166666666667in"}Source: USDA The Hague

![](media/image4.wmf){width="5.998611111111111in"
height="0.5576388888888889in"}

Figure 14: Leading Caterers in the Benelux

Source: USDA The Hague

![](media/image5.wmf){width="6.166666666666667in"
height="0.99375in"}Figure 15: Leading Wholesalers/Distributors in the
Benelux

Source: USDA The Hague

As figure 16 indicates, small and independent entrepreneurs buy their
products and ingredients at the wholesaler that matches their product
requirements. There are several wholesalers/distributors in the Benelux,
the leading ones are indicated above. In addition to wholesalers, some
products are bought directly from importers (meat, fish) or local
suppliers (fruit, vegetables, bread, pastry).

Figure 16: Distribution Channel Flow Diagram

![](media/image6.wmf){width="4.023611111111111in"
height="2.941666666666667in"}Source: USDA The Hague

Fast-food companies are frequently part of a large chain with national,
regional or global presence. Products are delivered through proprietary
distributors, who normally purchase products for all franchisees.

The profile of Dutch consumers shows signs of long-term transformation.
New consumers are more apt to eat out as a leisure or social activity or
a convenient alternative to home cooking. They are also more informed,
social, health conscious and outward-looking in their consumption
attitudes. This offers ample opportunities for new product and service
concepts to tap these new interests.

Competition in the Benelux HRI Foodservice market will remain tough as
new firms enter the market. Retailers of both food (Makro) and non-food
industries (V&D, HEMA, Ikea) have already claimed prominent positions in
the market. Operators are always eager to tap into the consumer
foodservice market. It is necessary to keep an eye on the movement of
prospective competitors from all fronts.

For more information on The HRI Foodservice industry please visit
[www.fas.usda.gov](http://www.fas.usda.gov/) GAIN NL5005.

## Market Overview -- Food Processing

Figure 17: Trade Statistics Benelux

  ------------------------------ -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                                 2001     2002     2003     2004     2005

  Turnover Food Processing       83,341   82,746   83,000   83,250   83,500
  Industry, €                                                        

  Export All Agriculture And     59,514   64,850   78,095   77,951   80,820
  Food, €                                                            

  Import All Agriculture And     41,303   44,560   54,139   56,240   58,180
  Food, €                                                            

  Balance Trade Agriculture And  18,210   20,290   23,956   21,711   22,640
  Food, €                                                            

  Number Food Processors         11,449   11,047   11,000   10,000   10,000
  ------------------------------ -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

Source: World Trade Atlas, CBS, FEVIA

NOTE: all numbers in table are in million EURO, except estimated number
of processors

The food-processing sector in the Benelux, is heavily oriented toward
import, transformation and export. While the Belgian-Dutch border
separates many food processors, in point of fact major food processors
are clustered in a corridor formed by the port cities of Antwerp,
Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

These processors serve not only the Benelux market, which would be too
small to sustain them, but the entire European market. This
international focus gives rise to and sustains a number of features that
are unique to the Benelux food processing sector.

Turnover of the Benelux processing industry has been stable at €83,000
for the past five years. The value of imported inputs has gone up but
the value of exports has grown even faster, resulting in a trade surplus
estimated at €23 billion in 2005.

Knowledgeable traders, Europe's leading ports (Rotterdam, Antwerp and
Amsterdam), a good distribution system, a competitive processing
industry and efficient marketing systems, make the Benelux an attractive
market for trading and processing agricultural products.

Food manufacturing, handling and import regulations are almost
completely harmonized within the EU, making regional trade fairly easy.
Trade barriers, import regulations, import and transportation costs and
time constraints all complicate imports from non-EU countries.

# SECTION IV. Best High-Value Product Prospects

+----------+--------+--------+------------------+--------------------+
| C        | Total  | B      | Key Constraints  | Market             |
| ommodity | B      | enelux | Over Market      | Attractiveness for |
|          | enelux | I      | Development      | USA                |
|          | I      | mports |                  |                    |
|          | mports | from   |                  |                    |
|          | 2005   | US     |                  |                    |
|          |        | 2005   |                  |                    |
|          | X US\$ |        |                  |                    |
|          | 1,000  | X US\$ |                  |                    |
|          |        | 1,000  |                  |                    |
+----------+--------+--------+------------------+--------------------+
| Pacific  | 7,833  | 6,011  | price -          | growing demand     |
| Salmon   |        |        | competition from |                    |
| H        |        |        | farmed salmon    |                    |
| S:030319 |        |        |                  |                    |
+----------+--------+--------+------------------+--------------------+
| Cod      | 20,355 | 4,411  | competition from | growing demand due |
|          |        |        | Russia and       | to lower stocks in |
| H        |        |        | Norway           | European waters    |
| S:030360 |        |        |                  | and growing        |
|          |        |        |                  | consumption        |
+----------+--------+--------+------------------+--------------------+
| Fish     | 6      | 45,668 | competition from | growing            |
| Fillets  | 27,028 |        | Iceland and      | opportunities in   |
| H        |        |        | China            | the further        |
| S:030420 |        |        |                  | processing         |
|          |        |        |                  | industry           |
+----------+--------+--------+------------------+--------------------+
| Scallops | 18,629 | 7,841  | price - lack     | growing demand in  |
| H        |        |        | education        | the high end HRI   |
| S:030721 |        |        | customer         | industry           |
+----------+--------+--------+------------------+--------------------+
| Prepared | 4      | 11,206 | competition from | the further        |
| Fish     | 36,033 |        | Morocco, Ecuador | processing         |
| HS:1604  |        |        | and Thailand     | industry has shown |
|          |        |        |                  | growth             |
+----------+--------+--------+------------------+--------------------+
| Almonds  | 1      | 93,116 | US represents    | growing demand     |
| H        | 66,494 |        | 63% of total     | from the food      |
| S:080212 |        |        | imports,         | ingredients market |
|          |        |        | competition      |                    |
|          |        |        | comes from Spain |                    |
+----------+--------+--------+------------------+--------------------+
| Pi       | 1      | 99,175 | competition from | growing demand     |
| stachios | 51,126 |        | Iran             | from the snack     |
| H        |        |        |                  | food and           |
| S:080250 |        |        |                  | confectionary      |
|          |        |        |                  | industry           |
+----------+--------+--------+------------------+--------------------+
| Wine     | 2,0    | 71,949 | competition from | per capita         |
|          | 20,483 |        | France, South    | consumption of     |
| HS:2204  |        |        | Africa, Spain    | wine continues to  |
|          |        |        | and Germany      | grow in the        |
|          |        |        |                  | Benelux            |
+----------+--------+--------+------------------+--------------------+

source: GTIS

To obtain the appropriate commodity code for your product, you can
contact the Dutch customs at +31 45 574 3031 or visit the following
website <http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds/en/tarhome.htm>. This
website also provides tariff classification and rates.

It is also possible to obtain a written binding ruling called a Binding
Tariff Information (BTI). This will provide assurances that you have the
correct tariff classification for your product. More information on how
to apply for BTI is available online at:

<http://www.douane.nl/zakelijk/invoer/en/invoer-05.html>

More information on EU import duties can be found on
<http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/import.html>.

# SECTION V. Key Contacts And Further Information

Office of Agricultural Affairs, American Embassy

U.S. Mailing Address: U.S. Embassy/ the Hague, PSC 71 Box 1000 APO AE
09715

International Mailing Address: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ The Hague,
The Netherlands

Phone: 31-70-310-2299

Fax: 31-70-365-7681

e-mail: [agthehague@fas.usda.gov]{.underline}

+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
| **Food Shows Frequently |                  |                         |
| Visited by Benelux Food |                  |                         |
| Buyers**                |                  |                         |
+=========================+==================+=========================+
| **Show**                | **When**         | **Show Organizers**     |
+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
| **HORECAVA**,           | January 08 --    | tel: + 31-(0)20-5753032 |
| Amsterdam,              | 11, 2007         |                         |
|                         |                  | fax: + 31-(0)20-5753093 |
| The Netherlands         |                  |                         |
|                         |                  | [www.h                  |
| Hotel and Restaurant    |                  | orecava.nl]{.underline} |
| Show                    |                  |                         |
+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
| **European Fine Food    | January 22 --    | MECC Maastricht         |
| Fair**                  | 24, 2007         |                         |
|                         |                  | tel: +31-(0)43-3838383  |
| Maastricht, The         |                  |                         |
| Netherlands             |                  | fax: +31-(0)43-383830   |
|                         |                  |                         |
| Exclusive Hotel and     |                  | [www.efff.n             |
| Restaurant Show         |                  | l](http://www.efff.nl/) |
+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
| **National Food Week**  | March 26 -- 28,  | tel: +31-(0)30-2952799  |
|                         | 2007             |                         |
| Utrecht, The            |                  | fax: +31-(0)30-2952814  |
| Netherlands             | Bi-Annual        |                         |
|                         |                  | [www.nationalef         |
| International food and  |                  | oodweek.nl]{.underline} |
| beverage trade show     |                  |                         |
+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
| **European Seafood      | April 24 -- 26,  | tel: +1-207-8425504     |
| Exhibition,** Brussels, | 2007             |                         |
| Belgium                 |                  | fax: +1-207-8425505     |
|                         |                  |                         |
| One of the world's      |                  | [www                    |
| largest seafood trade   |                  | .euroseafood.com](http: |
| show                    |                  | //www.euroseafood.com/) |
|                         |                  |                         |
| **USDA Endorsed Show**  |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| Trade Show Office       |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| Contact: Sharon Cook    |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| tel: +1-202-7203425     |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| Sharon.Cook@usda.gov    |                  |                         |
+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
| **FMI**, Chicago,       | May 06 -- 08,    | tel: +1-202-4528444     |
| United States           | 2007             |                         |
|                         |                  | fax: +1-202-4294559     |
| The largest             |                  |                         |
| international food      |                  | [w                      |
| trade show in North     |                  | ww.fmi.org]{.underline} |
| America.                |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| **USDA Endorsed Show**  |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| Trade Show Office       |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| Contact: Sharon Cook    |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| tel: +1-202-7203425     |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| Sharon.Cook@usda.gov    |                  |                         |
+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
| **World of Private      | May 22 -- 23,    | tel: +31-(0)20-5753032  |
| Label (PLMA)**          | 2007             |                         |
| Amsterdam, The          |                  | fax: +31-(0)20-5753093  |
| Netherlands             |                  |                         |
|                         |                  | [www.plmainterna        |
| Private Label Trade     |                  | tional.com]{.underline} |
| Show                    |                  |                         |
+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
| **AGFTOTAAL,** Ahoy     | Sept. 10 -- 12,  | tel: +31-(0)10-2933300  |
| Rotterdam,              | 2007             |                         |
|                         |                  | fax: +31-(0)10-2933399  |
| The Netherlands         | Bi-Annual        |                         |
|                         |                  | [www.agftotaal]         |
| World Wide Fruit &      |                  | (http://www.agftotaal/) |
| Vegetable Trade show    |                  |                         |
+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
| **ANUGA,** Cologne,     | October 13 --    | tel: +49-180-5204220    |
| Germany.                | 17, 2007         |                         |
|                         |                  | fax: +49-221-821991010  |
| One of Europe's food &  | Bi-Annual        |                         |
| beverages largest trade |                  | [www.anuga.com]         |
| show                    |                  | (http://www.anuga.com/) |
|                         |                  |                         |
| **USDA Endorsed Show**  |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| Trade Show Office       |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| Contact: Sharon Cook    |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| tel: +1-202-7203425     |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| <Sharon.Cook@usda.gov>  |                  |                         |
+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
| **Hortifair,**          | Oct. 31 -- Nov.  | tel: +31 (0)297-344033  |
| Amsterdam, The          | 3, 2006          |                         |
| Netherlands             |                  | fax: +31 (0)297-326850  |
|                         | Annual           |                         |
| Worldwide Horticultural |                  | [www.hortifair.nl](ht   |
| Trade Fair              |                  | tp://www.hortifair.nl/) |
|                         |                  |                         |
|                         |                  | <info@hortifair.nl>     |
+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
| **SIAL**, Paris, France | October, 2008    | tel: +33-(0)1-49685498  |
|                         |                  |                         |
| One of Europe's food &  | Bi-Annual Show   | fax: +33-(0)1-49685632  |
| beverages largest trade |                  |                         |
| show                    |                  | [www.sial.f             |
|                         |                  | r](http://www.sial.fr/) |
| **USDA Endorsed Show**  |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| Trade Show Office       |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| Contact: Sharon Cook    |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| tel: +1-202-7203425     |                  |                         |
|                         |                  |                         |
| <Sharon.Cook@usda.gov>  |                  |                         |
+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+
| **Horeca Expo,** Gent,  | November 18 --   | tel: +32-(0)9-2419211   |
| Belgium                 | 22, 2007         |                         |
|                         |                  | fax: +32-(0)9-2419475   |
| Hotel, Restaurant and   |                  |                         |
| Catering Show           |                  | email:                  |
|                         |                  | <                       |
|                         |                  | horeca@flandersexpo.be> |
|                         |                  |                         |
|                         |                  | [www.horecaexpo.be](htt |
|                         |                  | p://www.horecaexpo.be/) |
+-------------------------+------------------+-------------------------+

# APPENDIX

## Table A. Key Trade & Demographic Information for the Netherlands & Belgium 

The Netherlands

  ------------------------------------------------------ ----------------
  Agricultural Imports From All Countries (\$Mil) / U.S. \$25,875 / 4%
  Market Share (%) ^1/^                                  

  Consumer Food Imports From All Countries (\$Mil) /     \$15,778 / 2%
  U.S. Market Share (%) ^1/^                             

  Edible Fishery Imports From All Countries (\$Mil) /    \$1,221 / 3%
  U.S. Market Share (%) ^1/^                             

  Total Population (Millions) / Annual Growth Rate       16.3 / 0.5%
  (%)^2/^                                                

  Number of Major Metropolitan Areas                     2

  Per Capita Gross Domestic Product (U.S. Dollars) ^3/^  \$30,500

  Unemployment Rate (%)^2/^                              6.6

  Per Capita Food Expenditures (U.S. Dollars) ^3/^       \$ 2,475
  ------------------------------------------------------ ----------------

1/ Source: UN Trade Database CY 2004

2/ Source: Central Bureau of Statistics. 2005

3/ Source: CIA 2005

Belgium

  ------------------------------------------------------ ----------------
  Agricultural Imports From All Countries (\$Mil) / U.S. \$22,263 / 2%
  Market Share (%) ^1/^                                  

  Consumer Food Imports From All Countries (\$Mil) /     \$14,600 / 1%
  U.S. Market Share (%) ^1/^                             

  Edible Fishery Imports From All Countries (\$Mil) /    \$1,480 / 1%
  U.S. Market Share (%) ^1/^                             

  Total Population (Millions) / Annual Growth Rate       10.4 / 0.13%
  (%)^2/^                                                

  Number of Major Metropolitan Areas                     2

  Per Capita Gross Domestic Product (U.S. Dollars) ^3/^  \$31,400

  Unemployment Rate (%) ^2/^                             8.4

  Per Capita Food Expenditures (U.S. Dollars) ^2/^       \$ 2,779
  ------------------------------------------------------ ----------------

1/ Source: UN Trade Database CY 2004

2/ Source: National Bank of Belgium 2005

3/ Source: CIA 2005

Exchange Rate

  ----------------------- -------------------- --------------------------
  Year                    U.S. \$              EURO

  2001                    1                    1.12

  2002                    1                    1.06

  2003                    1                    0.88

  2004                    1                    0.81

  2005                    1                    0.80

  2006\*                  1                    0.80
  ----------------------- -------------------- --------------------------

\* Average exchange rate from Jan to Sept.

## Table B. Consumer Food & Edible Fishery Product Imports

  -------------------------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ------- ------- ------------ ------ ------
  **Netherlands Imports**    Imports                     Imports                   U.S Market          
                             from the                    from the                  Share               
                             World                       U.S.                                          

                             2002      2003     2004     2002      2003    2004    2002         2003   2004

                             US\$                        US\$                      Percentage          
                             Million                     Million                                       

  **CONSUMER‑ORIENTED        11,288    14,457   15,778   343       337     389     3            2      2
  AGRICULTURAL TOTAL**                                                                                 

  Snack Foods (Excl. Nuts)   585       818      914      4         5       7       1            1      1

  Breakfast Cereals &        42        62       87       1         1       1       1            1      0
  Pancake Mix                                                                                          

  Red Meats,                 783       1,132    1,335    1         1       1       0            0      0
  Fresh/Chilled/Frozen                                                                                 

  Red Meats,                 451       549      610      1         1       1       0            0      0
  Prepared/Preserved                                                                                   

  Poultry Meat               293       444      446      0         0       1       0            0      0

  Dairy Products (Excl.      1,523     1,848    2,064    1         1       20      0            0      1
  Cheese)                                                                                              

  Cheese                     348       472      567      1         1       1       0            0      0

  Eggs & Products            97        170      136      1         2       3       1            1      2

  Fresh Fruit                1,304     1,869    1,869    24        32      31      2            2      2

  Fresh Vegetables           841       1,075    1,138    1         2       1       0            0      0

  Processed Fruit &          818       988      1,118    31        27      29      4            3      3
  Vegetables                                                                                           

  Fruit & Vegetable Juices   620       663      641      41        34      39      7            5      6

  Tree Nuts                  159       266      301      36        54      69      23           20     23

  Wine & Beer                654       869      1,037    15        12      8       2            1      1

  Nursery Products & Cut     905       1,053    1,135    54        54      65      6            5      6
  Flowers                                                                                              

  Pet Foods (Dog & Cat Food) 137       188      183      12        8       4       9            4      2

  Other Consumer‑Oriented    1,727     1,992    2,198    122       106     112     7            5      5
  Products                                                                                             

                                                                                                       

  **FISH & SEAFOOD           936       1,167    1,221    21        27      36      2            2      3
  PRODUCTS**                                                                                           

  Salmon                     44        34       44       6         7       10      14           21     23

  Surimi                     7         12       23       1         1       2       1            2      8

  Crustaceans                258       276      245      1         1       1       0            0      0

  Groundfish & Flatfish      315       458      512      8         11      11      3            2      2

  Molluscs                   44        73       68       3         5       6       7            6      9

  Other Fishery Products     268       313      329      3         4       5       1            1      2

                                                                                                       

  **AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS    19,071    23,454   25,875   1,131     1,136   1,119   6            5      4
  TOTAL**                                                                                              

  **AGRICULTURAL, FISH &     21,673    26,610   29,479   1,180     1,191   1,181   5            4      4
  FORESTRY TOTAL**                                                                                     
  -------------------------- --------- -------- -------- --------- ------- ------- ------------ ------ ------

Source: United Nations Statistics Division

##  

## 

  ------------------------ --------- -------- -------- --------- ------ ------ ------------ ------ ------
  **Belgium Imports**      Imports                     Imports                 U.S Market          
                           from the                    from the                Share               
                           World                       U.S.                                        

                           2002      2003     2004     2002      2003   2004   2002         2003   2004

                           US \$                       US \$                   Percentage          
                           Million                     Million                                     

  **CONSUMER-ORIENTED      10,313    13,030   14,600   154       150    158    1            1      1
  AGRICULTURAL TOTAL**                                                                             

  Snack Foods (Excl. Nuts) 686       863      917      2         2      2      0            0      0

  Breakfast Cereals &      76        105      115      1         1      1      0            0      0
  Pancake Mix                                                                                      

  Red Meats,               500       639      766      8         8      7      2            1      1
  Fresh/Chilled/Frozen                                                                             

  Red Meats,               353       467      538      1         1      1      0            0      0
  Prepared/Preserved                                                                               

  Poultry Meat             230       304      319      0         0      0      0            0      0

  Dairy Products (Excl.    1,185     1,553    1,767    1         1      3      0            0      0
  Cheese)                                                                                          

  Cheese                   782       982      1,014    0         1      0      0            0      0

  Eggs & Products          67        89       103      1         3      1      1            3      0

  Fresh Fruit              1,617     2,161    2,587    13        14     14     1            1      1

  Fresh Vegetables         542       680      739      1         1      1      0            0      0

  Processed Fruit &        791       951      1,011    15        12     11     2            1      1
  Vegetables                                                                                       

  Fruit & Vegetable Juices 467       519      565      25        13     14     5            2      2

  Tree Nuts                153       175      209      39        44     51     26           25     24

  Wine & Beer              873       1,035    1,153    3         3      4      0            0      0

  Nursery Products & Cut   313       385      444      6         6      12     2            2      3
  Flowers                                                                                          

  Pet Foods (Dog & Cat     253       332      341      14        19     14     5            6      4
  Food)                                                                                            

  Other Consumer-Oriented  1,424     1,790    2,013    26        26     27     2            1      1
  Products                                                                                         

                                                                                                   

  **FISH & SEAFOOD         1,094     1,381    1,480    16        16     21     1            1      1
  PRODUCTS**                                                                                       

  Salmon                   68        81       87       3         3      4      5            3      5

  Surimi                   2         3        4        1         1      1      4            2      0

  Crustaceans              372       501      520      2         2      1      1            0      0

  Groundfish & Flatfish    328       381      449      4         4      7      1            1      2

  Molluscs                 107       146      157      2         2      5      2            2      3

  Other Fishery Products   217       269      263      5         5      3      2            2      1

                                                                                                   

  **AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS  16,047    19,978   22,263   483       504    452    3            3      2
  TOTAL**                                                                                          

  **AGRICULTURAL, FISH &   18,731    23,317   26,007   548       566    512    3            2      2
  FORESTRY TOTAL**                                                                                 
  ------------------------ --------- -------- -------- --------- ------ ------ ------------ ------ ------

Source: United Nations Statistics Division

## Table C. Top 15 Suppliers of Consumer Foods & Edible Fishery Products 

+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| **CON   |      |      |      |   | **FISH & |      |      |      |
| SUMER-O |      |      |      |   | SEAFOOD  |      |      |      |
| RIENTED |      |      |      |   | PR       |      |      |      |
| AGRIC   |      |      |      |   | ODUCTS** |      |      |      |
| ULTURAL |      |      |      |   |          |      |      |      |
| TOTAL** |      |      |      |   |          |      |      |      |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| **      |      |      |      |   | ###      |      |      |      |
| Report: |      |      |      |   | ### Repo |      |      |      |
| Neth    |      |      |      |   | rt: Neth |      |      |      |
| erlands |      |      |      |   | erlands  |      |      |      |
| Im      |      |      |      |   | Imports  |      |      |      |
| ports - |      |      |      |   | - Top 15 |      |      |      |
| Top 15  |      |      |      |   |  Ranking |      |      |      |
| Ran     |      |      |      |   |          |      |      |      |
| king ** |      |      |      |   |          |      |      |      |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| **\$    | **20 | **20 | **20 |   | **\      | **20 | **20 | **20 |
| 1,000** | 02** | 03** | 04** |   | $1,000** | 02** | 03** | 04** |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| Germany | 2    | 3    | 3    |   | Germany  | 177  | 236  | 241  |
|         | ,426 | ,343 | ,666 |   |          | ,645 | ,211 | ,743 |
|         | ,136 | ,596 | ,101 |   |          |      |      |      |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| Belgium | 1    | 2    | 2    |   | Belgium  | 79   | 144  | 163  |
|         | ,972 | ,529 | ,805 |   |          | ,055 | ,632 | ,605 |
|         | ,376 | ,865 | ,432 |   |          |      |      |      |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| France  | 915  | 1    | 1    |   | Denmark  | 98   | 103  | 112  |
|         | ,198 | ,190 | ,248 |   |          | ,857 | ,923 | ,070 |
|         |      | ,688 | ,940 |   |          |      |      |      |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| Spain   | 759  | 1    | 1    |   | United   | 90   | 119  | 107  |
|         | ,487 | ,038 | ,096 |   | Kingdom  | ,314 | ,502 | ,880 |
|         |      | ,832 | ,337 |   |          |      |      |      |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| Brazil  | 652  | 790  | 797  |   | China    | 9    | 25   | 41   |
|         | ,581 | ,554 | ,930 |   | (Peoples | ,233 | ,480 | ,239 |
|         |      |      |      |   | Republic |      |      |      |
|         |      |      |      |   | of)      |      |      |      |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| United  | 469  | 564  | 607  |   | I        | 28   | 39   | 39   |
| Kingdom | ,173 | ,828 | ,673 |   | ndonesia | ,632 | ,772 | ,945 |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| Italy   | 272  | 388  | 432  |   | France   | 42   | 34   | 39   |
|         | ,141 | ,576 | ,990 |   |          | ,049 | ,725 | ,449 |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| United  | 343  | 337  | 388  |   | Tanzania | 32   | 38   | 36   |
| States  | ,144 | ,448 | ,731 |   |          | ,086 | ,265 | ,819 |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| Ireland | 239  | 331  | 382  |   | United   | 21   | 26   | 35   |
|         | ,976 | ,162 | ,118 |   | States   | ,184 | ,846 | ,637 |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| South   | 258  | 389  | 375  |   | Morocco  | 40   | 50   | 32   |
| Africa  | ,959 | ,648 | ,655 |   |          | ,936 | ,328 | ,934 |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| Denmark | 188  | 256  | 283  |   | Nigeria  | 20   | 25   | 29   |
|         | ,369 | ,947 | ,393 |   |          | ,888 | ,368 | ,666 |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| Chile   | 172  | 238  | 236  |   | Vietnam  | 7    | 9    | 24   |
|         | ,025 | ,060 | ,122 |   |          | ,312 | ,975 | ,214 |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| Poland  | 102  | 120  | 233  |   | Norway   | 22   | 17   | 20   |
|         | ,899 | ,438 | ,826 |   |          | ,628 | ,830 | ,946 |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| Kenya   | 151  | 194  | 229  |   | Ireland  | 9    | 12   | 16   |
|         | ,120 | ,804 | ,846 |   |          | ,877 | ,661 | ,047 |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| T       | 161  | 168  | 227  |   | Sweden   | 7    | 12   | 16   |
| hailand | ,184 | ,911 | ,450 |   |          | ,516 | ,792 | ,011 |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| Others  | 2    | 2    | 2    |   | Others   | 247  | 269  | 262  |
|         | ,203 | ,572 | ,765 |   |          | ,718 | ,138 | ,682 |
|         | ,004 | ,614 | ,221 |   |          |      |      |      |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+
| World   | 11   | 14   | 15   |   | World    | 935  | 1    | 1    |
|         | ,287 | ,456 | ,777 |   |          | ,930 | ,167 | ,220 |
|         | ,772 | ,971 | ,765 |   |          |      | ,448 | ,887 |
+---------+------+------+------+---+----------+------+------+------+

Source: United Nations Statistics Division

  --------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ --- ------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
  **CONSUMER-ORIENTED                                              **FISH &                              
  AGRICULTURAL TOTAL**                                             SEAFOOD                               
                                                                   PRODUCTS**                            

  **Report: Belgium                                                **Report:                             
  Imports - Top 15                                                 Belgium                               
  Ranking **                                                       Imports - Top                         
                                                                   15 Ranking**                          

  **\$1,000**           **2002**     **2003**     **2004**         **\$1,000**   **2002**    **2003**    **2004**

  France                2,751,968    3,428,595    3,615,023        Netherlands   276,558     347,927     365,316

  Netherlands           2,402,525    3,030,342    3,327,148        France        105,342     125,951     148,178

  Germany               1,257,918    1,699,852    1,807,070        Denmark       79,992      93,803      92,519

  Italy                 394,918      516,349      591,152          Germany       66,410      82,472      77,746

  Spain                 405,381      534,280      582,008          Bangladesh    47,849      74,554      70,733

  United Kingdom        332,165      411,307      465,610          Iceland       34,408      46,792      68,545

  New Zealand           287,680      385,447      442,725          United        59,791      69,683      66,629
                                                                   Kingdom                               

  Colombia              202,640      271,437      416,741          India         23,549      50,905      63,406

  Costa Rica            203,183      289,721      377,995          Indonesia     17,304      39,471      50,585

  Brazil                275,233      298,731      358,631          Uganda        40,957      32,979      45,233

  Ecuador               90,116       139,938      209,440          Vietnam       18,462      33,383      43,571

  Argentina             138,068      153,513      166,959          Canada        28,593      35,016      36,009

  United States         154,159      150,482      158,321          China         4,886       20,504      28,182

  South Africa          172,137      153,870      151,990          Sweden        16,670      22,663      25,371

  Ireland               79,435       105,149      135,440          Tanzania      38,746      27,428      22,504

  Rest of World         1,165,076    1,461,149    1,794,012        Other         234,015     277,096     275,970

  World                 10,312,602   13,030,162   14,600,265       World         1,093,532   1,380,627   1,480,497
  --------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ --- ------------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Source: United Nations Statistics Division