Marcel Vernooij is a member of the management team of the Sustainable Economic Development Department for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He visited Rainbow, a Tunisian-Dutch partnership that produces bell peppers, in Tunisia, and wrote a blog about it.
The Netherlands is a small country with a world-class horticultural sector. Companies in the horticultural sector have trade partners all over the world, and they are also establishing themselves abroad more often. One example of this is the Tunisian-Dutch cooperation for the production of bell peppers near Tunis. Horticulture is a supporting pillar of our agriculture. On a small surface, high-quality fruit, vegetables and flowers are efficiently produced. Dutch consumers are rightfully critical, and they make their choices from a wide range of daily, fresh products. Companies therefore continually pay attention to improving their product, to make the most of water, energy and nutrients.
A strong home base, agricultural logistics and trade
From this strong home base, Dutch horticultural products find their way all over the world. The agrarian export value is 85 billion euro, making the Netherlands the second agricultural exporter in the world. A quarter of this is carried by potatoes, fruit, vegetables and ornamental plant cultivation products. Europe, and especially Germany, is the most important sales market; growth potential can mostly be found in rising markets. In the Netherlands, we are highly skilled in a smooth course of transport, (agricultural) logistics, processing and marketing of agricultural products. Because of that, we act as a gateway to Europe and are also a major importer of horticultural products. Within 24 hours, Dutch companies supply a wide assortment of fruit, vegetables and flowers to millions of consumers in and outside Europe.
From trade to partnership, to becoming ‘local’
From this strong trade position, Dutch agricultural companies find partners globally. Whenever I’m abroad for the Dutch government, I always notice how much Dutch expertise is appreciated. Governments, knowledge institutions and companies want to work with their Dutch counterparts. They talk about our horticulture, dairy and ‘Wageningen’ with respect. It’s a logical development that Dutch companies cooperate with local partners more and more, that they invest in companies abroad or that they decide to ‘localise’ with a branch. The Dutch government supports this development.
The ornamental plant cultivation is a leader in this. For many years, Dutch growers have produced flowers in East Africa, Latin America and China. At first, they focused on the European market, but by now, production centres have sprung up for a wide range of sales markets. In the fresh produce sector, more and more Dutch companies are establishing themselves abroad as well.
Sunshine and Rainbow in Tunisia
A great example is Rainbow Horticulture Tunisia. This is a Tunisian-Dutch partnership that produces bell peppers. I visited the company in Fondouk Jedid near Tunis. With support of the Dutch government, the company developed a professional covered cultivation in recent years, which became gradually geared to the local climate and culture. The company mainly produces during the European winter months, with which it makes a significant contribution to the wishes of supermarkets to be able to offer good-quality bell peppers year-round. By now, Rainbow Horticulture Tunisia exports to other regions as well, including the Middle East. The bell peppers also find their way to Tunisian consumers, and the company started growing cucumbers for the local market. Because the company grew, 25 jobs were created. The employees, mostly women, are from Fondouk Jedid. Their working conditions are good.
At the conclusion of my visit to the company, the chairman of the Tunisian partner, Mr Adel Ghariani, is enthusiastic about the mutual benefit. He indicates the flags of both countries which have been struck, and says: “Here at Rainbow you can see a bit of the Netherlands plus Tunisia. We’ve become close partners. The entrepreneurship and expertise from the Netherlands, combined with our people and means. The sun is shining for this cooperation, and for the further development of this company!”
Marcel Vernooij
Sustainable Economic Development Department