Industry leaders, academics, and innovators from across the UK and the Netherlands recently gathered in Kent for a key discussion on the future of trade collaboration and innovation in the agritech sector. The event, hosted by Locate in Kent and Growing Kent & Medway, highlighted the potential for cross-border partnerships and investment.
The UK’s flourishing agritech industry encompasses a wide range of sectors, from consumer-facing apps and services to food processing, sustainable packaging, advanced farming systems, and pioneering research into next-generation food and beverages.
Kent served as the final destination for a three-day Agritech Mission, organised by the British Embassy in The Hague and the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade. During the mission, delegates toured key agritech regions of excellence across the UK, with Kent providing a showcase of its leading research and innovation facilities.
The trade mission aimed to demonstrate the vast potential for Dutch companies to grow their businesses by investing in the UK’s agritech sector, with a particular focus on tackling pressing global challenges such as climate change.
In Kent, delegates visited NIAB’s East Malling site, a world-renowned centre for applied research and innovation in commercial horticulture. Here, they were introduced to cutting-edge research projects employing AI and machine learning to detect and prevent pests and diseases in orchards and vineyards. Another project on display utilised new technologies to enhance strawberry yields.
The visit also included a tour of Discovery Park in Sandwich, where delegates explored the laboratories of two agritech businesses. These included Harmoniz Seeds, which recently opened a new demonstration greenhouse in the Netherlands, and Ventera Bio, a biotechnology company engaged in research and experimental development.
Nick Fenton, CEO of Locate in Kent, emphasised the significance of the event, stating, “This was an opportunity to showcase Kent and Medway as a key region for food and drink innovation in the UK and to build new connections for future collaboration and investment.”
This mission underscores the UK’s role as a leader in agritech innovation and its commitment to fostering international collaboration in the sector.
