Employment in the agrochemicals and pesticide sector in the Netherlands has seen a steady decline over the last decade. Starting from 362 units in 2013, the workforce reduced to 229 units by 2023, representing a significant decrease. The year-on-year variation has ranged from positive growth of 9.71% in 2015 to a steep decline of 16.1% in 2017. The last two years (2022-2023) continued this trend with a reduction of -4.4% and -4.18%, respectively. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last 5 years up to 2023 was -4.06%.
Looking ahead, the forecast indicates further decline, with employment expected to drop to 178 units by 2028. The projected 5-year CAGR from 2024 to 2028 is -4.06%, amounting to an overall reduction of -18.72% over this period.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Technological advancements that could replace labor with automation.
- Regulatory changes impacting the agrochemical sector.
- Shifts towards sustainable farming practices reducing the reliance on traditional pesticides.
- The impact of agricultural policy and EU directives affecting employment levels.
Monitoring these factors will be crucial for understanding the long-term trajectory of employment in this sector.