2025-04-02 08:00
Troostwijk Auctions sees an increase in online auctions due to significant developments
The number of online auctions within the agricultural sector continues to rise sharply. In 2024, the number of online auctions increased by 30 percent compared to 2023, notes Troostwijk Auctions. The upward trend continues in 2025: in the first quarter of this year, the number of auctions was 21 percent higher than in the same period in 2024. Stricter regulations, economic pressure, and uncertainty about the future are the main reasons for the growth in business closures.
The agricultural sector in the Netherlands experiences relatively few bankruptcies. The vast majority of auctions at Troostwijk Auctions are therefore voluntary. “The idea that you only auction when you go bankrupt is outdated,” says Arjan Averink, account manager with a special focus on the agricultural market at the online auction house. In 2023, there were 189 voluntary auctions within the sector at Troostwijk Auctions. In 2024, this number rose to 250, and in 2025, the increase continues with an 11% growth in the first quarter compared to the same period last year.
Uncertainty and Pressure on the Agricultural Sector
In recent years, more and more Dutch agricultural entrepreneurs have decided to end their businesses, driven by a combination of stricter regulations, economic pressure, and uncertainty about the future. The nitrogen policy forces many agricultural entrepreneurs to make drastic decisions. Low output prices, combined with rising costs for energy, fertilizers, and animal feed, put heavy pressure on margins, making it particularly difficult for smaller companies to stay afloat.
Social and Psychosocial Pressure
In addition to financial considerations, psychosocial pressure also plays an important role. Averink: “Social criticism of the agricultural sector is increasing, mainly due to concerns about environmental impacts such as nitrogen emissions. Moreover, stricter regulations on animal welfare and crop protection make operations more complex and expensive.”
As a result, many agricultural entrepreneurs feel increasingly under pressure. The government offers buyout schemes, making it financially more attractive for some agricultural entrepreneurs to stop rather than continue. 1700 livestock farmers registered for the buyout scheme.
Lack of Business Succession
For many agricultural entrepreneurs, stopping is the only option. “We increasingly see agricultural entrepreneurs selling their business assets through auctions to wind down their operations in an orderly way. Especially in regions heavily impacted by environmental measures, the number of auctions is rising rapidly. This highlights how uncertain the future is for many agricultural entrepreneurs,” says Averink.
Additionally, younger generations are choosing less often for a future in agriculture and the takeover of the family business. “The high workload, stricter regulations, and uncertainty about the future are major obstacles for potential successors. This leads to more agricultural entrepreneurs closing or selling their businesses, causing the number of agricultural companies to steadily decline,” concludes Averink.
Auctioning as a Smart Solution for Unused Business Inventory
Auctioning does not always have to be associated with business closure. It can also be a strategic choice, as with tractor specialist Koop van der Wal. “While moving our warehouse, we found items we hadn’t used in five years and likely wouldn’t use in the next five years either. We want to renovate our company hall and distribute part of the profit. Auctioning is the perfect solution for us to sell everything at once and create financial space,” says Willem van der Wal.
What Is Being Auctioned and Where Does It Go?
In the agricultural sector, a wide range of business assets are auctioned, from heavy machinery to complete inventories. Common items include tractors, implements, loaders, attachments, and tools. About 60% of the auctioned items remain in the Netherlands, while the rest go abroad, with Belgium being the largest buyer, followed by Germany and countries in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. In total, Troostwijk Auctions reaches buyers from 175 countries.