Asturex promotes the export of Asturian cheese to the Dutch market with a B2B event

Asturex Photography.

International Promotion

The Asturex agency organized a business meeting in Gijón between five Asturian cheese producers and 16 Dutch operators to explore new export opportunities in a key market. The initiative, part of the TastingAsturias ImportMatch program, aims to position Asturian products within the Dutch distribution channels.

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The foreign promotion agency of Principado de Asturias, Asturex, has organized a day of business meetings in Gijón which has brought together five cheese factories in the region with 16 specialized cheese operators Países BajosThe objective of the mission, held on June 11 within the framework of the program TastingAsturias ImportMatchThis opens new and direct export routes for Asturian cheese in one of the most prestigious and demanding markets. Europa.

A direct business format to connect supply and demand

The event was designed to maximize business efficiency, moving beyond the traditional closed-door format. Each of the five Asturian cheese dairies had its own dedicated space to present its product range, conduct tastings, and hold business discussions with visiting buyers. This open and dynamic format facilitated a more natural and professional exchange of information, allowing the Asturian companies to showcase their products and services in greater depth.

The Dutch delegation consisted of 16 operators with strategic and very diverse profiles, covering the entire value chain: from distributors and wholesalers even companies retail specialized channel hospitality, foodservicePremium cheese aging and cooperatives linked to artisanal products. This diversity ensured that both cheese dairies with a specific profile premium such as those focused on restoration could find a suitable interlocutor.

Positive assessment for a qualified market strategy

Sources from the participating Asturian companies, consulted by Empresa ExteriorThey positively valued the speed of the meeting and the opportunity to receive direct feedback from highly specialized operators. Some companies highlighted the usefulness of comparing their product with profiles close to the end customer, thus obtaining firsthand information about positioning, formats, prices and other conditions of the Dutch market. This direct interaction is essential to tailor the supply to the demands of a discerning consumer.

Meanwhile, the buyers of Países Bajos They highlighted the high quality and great variety The event showcased Asturian cheeses and the rich gastronomy of a region with highly distinctive products. It served to highlight the sector's potential to operators with real influence and distribution capacity in a high-value-added market.

The Netherlands: a strategic and highly competitive market

Países Bajos It's not just any market; it's one of the major European benchmarks in the cheese sector. It's a mature, highly specialized market with operators possessing significant technical capabilities and well-developed distribution channels. According to data from ICEX collected by the Agency Sekuens, its relevance to España It is double and shows the intensity of the bilateral relationship in this sector.

Dairy trade between Spain and the Netherlands (2025)

Concept	Position for Spain	Price
Spanish dairy exports to the Netherlands	6rd destination	84,8 millones de euros
Spanish imports of dairy products from the Netherlands	1st origin	717 millones de euros
Source: Data ICEX collected by the Agency Sekuens

Although Asturian cheese currently has a limited presence in the Dutch market, there is clear room for growth. Initiatives such as TastingAsturias ImportMatch They are, therefore, crucial. This program, driven by Asturex Within its plan to promote the agri-food sector, it focuses on facilitating direct contact between Asturian companies and qualified importers through reverse missions, B2B meetings and tastings, ensuring that selected buyers have an active commercial network and real capacity to prescribe in their home markets.

Key points and frequently asked questions about exporting cheese to the Netherlands

How does the high competition in the Dutch market affect a Spanish company?

Competition forces Spanish exporting companies to present a very well-defined value proposition. They cannot compete solely on price, but must also focus on differentiation: Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs), artisanal production, organic cheeses, or innovative formats. Entry into the Dutch market is a mark of quality that can open doors to other northern European markets. Europa.

What are the consequences for an Asturian cheese factory of a B2B meeting like the one organized by Asturex?

The main benefit is the direct validation of the product and the commercial strategy. It allows for testing the fit of formats and prices, obtaining immediate feedback from experts, and, above all, building a personal relationship with potential distributors. This direct contact shortens sales cycles and reduces uncertainty when approaching exports.

What should Spanish exporters know before trying to sell in the Netherlands?

It is essential to conduct a preliminary analysis of the target distribution channel (retail, hospitality, gourmet shops). Labeling and packaging must be adapted to local regulations and tastes. Furthermore, it is crucial to have a local partner (importer or distributor) with in-depth knowledge of the market, its players, and its logistics, as maintaining the cold chain and ensuring on-time deliveries are non-negotiable requirements.