Research shows limited impact on Dutch agriculture from Mercosur agreement

Farmers and non-governmental organisations have protested against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement at the European Parliament in Brussels. Demonstrators fear negative consequences for European agriculture. However, research conducted by Wageningen University & Research (WUR) indicates that the impact on Dutch farmers will remain limited. The impact of a trade agreement with the Mercosur countries is limited for Dutch agriculture, according to WUR. Siemen van Berkum of Wageningen Economic Research said during a session of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, 10 September 2025, that the negative income effect – if any – would amount by 2040 to an average of €590 for the veal calf producer, €530 for the egg producer and €420 for the cattle farmer when compared to a scenario without altered trade conditions with Mercosur. Van Berkum explained that the price changes resulting from increased import of South American agricultural products are “particularly low”, with the exception ...