Agroforestry farms can produce nuts, fruits, timber, crops and other products from the same landscape, but this diversity also creates logistical and market challenges. Wageningen Food & Biobased Research Report 2832 examines how the design of agroforestry systems influences value chains, post-harvest requirements and market opportunities, with a particular focus on the Netherlands and comparisons with other parts of north-western Europe. The analysis combines literature, stakeholder perspectives and examples from farms and organizations to connect production characteristics with the practical requirements of bringing agroforestry products to market.

The report examines stakeholder roles, harvesting and processing needs, transport, storage, short supply chains and emerging organizational models. It also considers consumer perceptions, retail and food-service requirements, biodiversity-related value propositions, pricing premiums and financial and policy incentives. Examples from Dutch agroforestry and biodiversity-oriented farms illustrate different products, value chains and sales models, while scenarios explore the land requirements associated with expanding high-biodiversity agroforestry production.

A central message is that scaling agroforestry depends on more than farm-level design. Diverse and sometimes relatively small product volumes can complicate mechanization, aggregation and access to established markets. The report therefore highlights coordination across farmers, processors, logistics providers, retailers, consumers and policymakers, alongside investment in appropriate infrastructure and market development. It identifies knowledge gaps and value-chain conditions that need attention as agroforestry expands in the Netherlands and north-western Europe.