More than 50 farmers quit every week

The number of agricultural holdings in the Netherlands has fallen dramatically over the past fifteen years from 120.1 thousand to 76.7 thousand, a declining rate of 55 a week. In the period 2000-2003, the rate was even higher, when 80 farmers decided to cease their farming activities every week. The main reason was that the government started to buy up land and as a result intensive cattle farming in particular was reduced. In 2004, about 30 farmers discontinued their activities every week. Subsequently, the rate of decline rose again. Last year, the number of agricultural holdings was reduced by more than 50 each week.

Number of agricultural and horticultural holdings