Groninger Veenkolonien

region, Netherlands

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

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The Groninger Veenkolonien is an agricultural region in the southeastern part of the province of Groningen in the Netherlands. Historically, this area was an extensive peat bog until the late 16th century. Through reclamation and fertilization, it was transformed into a productive agricultural region.1

The Veenkolonien is now the most industrialized district in the province. Its agriculture specializes in crops like rye, oats, and potatoes, which are used in the starch industry. The region also has strawboard factories that utilize the residue from intensive cultivation. Industries in the Veenkolonien include potato flour mills, paper and cardboard factories, engineering, shipbuilding, chemical, and electrical industries, as well as textile and hosiery factories.1

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Groningen
…created an agricultural region (Groninger Veenkolonien). The morass along the German border had long been considered a natural frontier and so was left in its impassable condition until the second half of the 19th century. Agriculture in this region has specialized in rye, oats, and potatoes for the starch…
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…created an agricultural region (Groninger Veenkolonien). The morass along the German border had long been considered a natural frontier and so was left in its impassable condition until the second half of the 19th century. Agriculture in this region has specialized in rye, oats, and potatoes for the starch…
Read More