As the Dutch government, we support Dutch companies and their international ambitions,

For example through financing instruments like the Dutch Trade and Investment Fund

In the agricultural sector we're particularly happy when these ambitions are aligned with our vision for agriculture

And this vision is one towards circular agriculture where the use of resources is optimized and those that produce our food are able to make a decent living wage

And that's why we're happy to work with companies like Van der Knaap in Mexico that apply circular agricultural principles and make a positive social impact

The aim of Van der Knaap group of Companies is to supply high quality and sustainable products and services for rooting and growing

Transforming the husk of the coconut which is a waste product towards a valuable end product being a high quality coconut substrate

Before the company settled here, we only took the pulp of the coconut and did not use the water or its husk.

As a coconut grower, I can now sell for higher prices and I can be sure that I will sell everything I produce.

This is also good for the people of this region because they can get jobs locally.

Agrupación Coco del Pacífico is a company that aims to market the whole coconut fruit.

We export the nut to the U.S., where they take the pulp, the water and the shell.

We have about 130 employees right now, and we expect to have 200 next year.

The agrifood sector is the second most important manufacturing industry in the state.

To have these companies here adds value to the industry and creates jobs.

We have a good relationship with the Dutch government.

The direct impact on our municipality has been great.

Firstly, these companies pay taxes.

Secondly, they create jobs for the people of Pedro Escobedo.

They have certainly improved the economy in the municipality.

We like working with the coconut substrate, because it's a sustainable and renewable product and furthermore it is available locally

Lower prices, lower freight costs

They bring the many years of expertise and transferring that technology into Mexican production

Upon the end of the life of the crop we pretend to reuse the remaining product and incorporate it into our fields and expect this will work as a land improver or soil improver.