Dutch Trade Mission in Accra Strengthens Ghana–Netherlands Collaboration in Horticulture and Agribusiness

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, in collaboration with East-West Trade, the Ghana Netherlands Business & Culture Council (GNBCC), and partners, successfully hosted the Dutch Horticulture Trade Mission to Ghana from 28th October to 1st November 2025.

The mission brought together 14 leading Dutch agribusinesses to explore partnerships, promote knowledge exchange, and strengthen cooperation in Ghana’s growing horticulture sector. Activities included participation in the Agrofood & Plastprintpack Fair, matchmaking sessions in Accra and Tamale, research presentations, and the launch of the Ghana Seed Partnership (GSP).

Participating Dutch companies included Agriterra, Bakker Brothers, Celtic Cooling, East-West Seed, Den Ouden Growsolutions, Holland Farming, Holland Greentech, IDH, Koppert, Seed NL, Safisana, Spaak, and Vegtech Netafim.

At the official launch, Mr. George Owusu Ansah from Ghana’s Ministry of Trade and Industry announced that a new National Agribusiness Policy is underway to promote value addition and job creation. Representing the Netherlands, Dr. Rens Twijnstra, Head of Economic Affairs at the Embassy, noted that the Netherlands Pavilion had doubled in size this year, reflecting the strengthening Ghana–Netherlands partnership.

Key research findings presented at the Netherlands Pavilion included opportunities in the horticultural seedling market and access to finance for smallholder farmers. The studies revealed strong demand for professionally raised seedlings and an investment potential of over GHS 160 million in the horticulture finance landscape.

The launch of the Ghana Seed Partnership (GSP) marked another milestone in Dutch–Ghanaian collaboration. Supported by RVO and implemented by GNBCC and Advance Consulting, the GSP brings together 13 partners 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.. Dutch Ambassador H.E. Jeroen Verheul emphasized the shift from a donor–receiver dynamic to an equal partnership focused on innovation and shared growth.

The mission concluded with a networking cocktail at the Netherlands Embassy, where Ghanaian and Dutch businesses connected to explore collaboration opportunities. Ambassador Verheul reaffirmed that lasting impact depends on “people-to-people and business-to-business connections.”

The delegation now continues its engagements in Tamale with field visits and additional matchmaking sessions aimed at driving sustainable investment and innovation in Ghana’s horticulture value chain.