The Dutch Trade Mission to Ghana: Nurturing Horticulture and Agribusiness Bonds
A five-day Dutch Trade Mission, orchestrated by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, in collaboration with East-West Trade, the Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council (GNBCC), and other partners, took place from October 28th to November 1st, 2025. This mission aimed to strengthen ties between Ghana and the Netherlands in the horticulture and agribusiness sectors, fostering partnerships, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.
The mission's highlight was the participation in the 7th Edition of the Agrofood & Plastprintpack Fair in Accra, where 14 leading Dutch agribusinesses and expert organizations showcased their innovations. The event also featured field visits to northern Ghana, engaging with key stakeholders in the horticulture sector.
The Dutch companies participating included Advance Consulting, Agriterra, Bakker Brothers, Celtic Cooling, East-West Seeds, Den Ouden Growsolutions, Holland Farming, Holland Greentech, IDH, Koppert, Seed NL, Safisana, Spaak Circular Solutions, and Vegtech Netafim. These companies presented innovations in climate-smart agriculture, seed technology, and sustainable value chain development, symbolizing the deepening collaboration between Ghana and the Netherlands.
A significant outcome of the mission was the launch of the Ghana Seed Partnership (GSP) by the Netherlands Embassy and its partners. The GSP aims to foster collaboration between public and private entities from Ghana and the Netherlands to build a sustainable, high-performing seed sector. This partnership will support smallholder farmers and drive Ghana's agricultural transformation.
The GSP brings together 13 key stakeholders, including Truvalu, Simba, Enza Zaden, Bakker Brothers, IWAD, Profyta, East-West Seed, Rijk Zwaan, Zasco, GNBCC, Advance Consulting, Wageningen University and Research (WUR), and SeedNL. The project will be implemented by GNBCC, Advance Consulting, with support from RVO and the Netherlands Embassy.
H.E. Jeroen Verheul, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ghana, emphasized the mission's significance, stating, 'We are planting a seed for deeper and more structured cooperation between our countries and partners.'
The mission also featured research presentations at the Netherlands Pavilion, focusing on 'Assessment of Horticultural Seedling Business Opportunities in Ghana' and 'Access to Finance for the Smallholder Horticulture Sector.' Dr Naalamle Amissah from the West Africa Horticulture Innovation Hub presented the seedling study, highlighting the potential for professional seedling production to improve yields and planting quality. An engaging panel discussion on access to finance for Ghana's smallholder horticulture sector used the Financial Landscape Study by Advance Consulting as its starting point, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and data-driven innovation.
The trade mission extended to Tamale, where Dutch partners engaged with regional policymakers and stakeholders in the northern horticultural sector. The focus was on identifying areas where Dutch expertise can contribute to sustainable horticultural development, particularly in promoting organic farming to enhance soil health and produce healthy, nutritious crops.
The mission concluded with a symbolic seed planting and sod-cutting ceremony, marking the beginning of a new phase of Ghana–Netherlands cooperation in agribusiness. The event celebrated the rich food heritage of Northern Ghana, showcasing the potential for collaboration and innovation in the horticulture and agribusiness sectors.
