Dutch Agribusiness delegation begins Ghana trade mission

A 32-member Dutch horticulture business delegation has arrived in Ghana. The group includes 19 leading agribusiness companies. They are on a three-day trade mission to strengthen Dutch-Ghanaian cooperation in horticulture. The delegation is led by H.E. Marten van den Berg, the Dutch Vice Minister of Agriculture. This mission runs from May 26 to May 28, 2025.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana hosts this initiative. It collaborates with the Netherlands-Africa Business Council (NABC). The mission brings together stakeholders from both countries. These include government agencies, private sector actors, and academic institutions. Their goal is to explore investment opportunities and promote sustainable partnerships.

This mission shows the Netherlands' renewed commitment to Ghana. It aims to integrate development cooperation with private sector engagement. Activities include business matchmaking sessions and field visits. There will also be high-level policy engagements to stimulate Dutch investment interest.

The objectives include attracting Dutch agribusinesses to invest in Ghana. They aim to showcase how development cooperation improves the local business environment. Identifying challenges for potential investors is also a priority. Insights gained will help shape future Dutch agricultural policies in Ghana.

Key highlights include visits to horticultural enterprises like Iribov and Fruitmaster Greenhouse in Volta Region. A Farmer Field Day will involve smallholder farmers and Dutch partners. There will also be a business reception attended by Ghanaian officials and trade stakeholders. These activities will highlight Dutch contributions in seed technology, greenhouse production, cold storage, agri-finance, and agricultural training.

A major milestone is signing a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement is between Eric Opoku, Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, and Marten van den Berg. The MoU reaffirms both nations' commitment to collaboration. It also establishes new Technical Working Groups focused on seeds, agribusiness, and cocoa.

The Dutch government views this mission as more than just trade promotion. It serves as a platform for long-term relationship building and knowledge exchange. According to Marten van den Berg, Dutch farmers set global benchmarks in productivity and innovation.

Ambassador Jeroen Verheul emphasized that the trade mission reflects shared ambitions between countries. He noted that the Netherlands sees Ghana as both an investment destination and a strategic partner.

This trade mission aligns with Ghana’s Feed Ghana Program launched recently. The program aims to increase domestic vegetable production while promoting farming as a business model. With ongoing investments in agricultural education from the Netherlands, they are well-positioned to support this agenda.

Overall, this trade mission symbolizes growing bilateral ties in agribusiness between the two nations.