Dutch Herring Trade Riches

The Dutch Herring Trade Made the Netherlands Rich Through Preserved Fish On June 15, 1300, Willem van Affligem, a Dutch merchant, sold a large quantity of pickled herring to the German city of Lübeck, marking the beginning of the Dutch herring trade. This event occurred in the city of Haarlem, where van Affligem had established a thriving business. Historian Jan Willem Verhaar notes that this early trade deal was a significant milestone in the development of the Dutch economy.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the Dutch herring trade was just a small part of the country's economy, with the standard story going that the Netherlands' wealth came from its colonial empire and trade in spices and textiles. However, this overlooks the crucial role that the herring trade played in establishing the Netherlands as a major economic power. The common understanding is that the Dutch herring trade was a niche industry that contributed minimally to the country's overall wealth.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Johan Huizinga and Simon Schama actively document the Dutch herring trade as a driving force behind the country's economic success. On November 11, 1576, the Dutch city of Enkhuizen was granted a monopoly on the herring trade by the Dutch government, giving it a significant advantage over other European ports. The Dutch invented a method of preserving herring through a process of gutting, salting, and pickling that allowed them to store the fish for long periods, making it possible to transport and sell herring throughout Europe. According to historian Piet Lourens, the Dutch herring trade was worth millions of guilders by the mid-17th century, with the trade peaking in 1650. By 1670, the Dutch had established a network of trade routes and warehouses that allowed them to dominate the European herring market, with merchants like Andries van Wijck playing a key role in the industry. As historian Jan de Vries notes, the Dutch herring trade was a highly organized and efficient industry that required significant investments in ships, equipment, and labor. On January 1, 1680, the Dutch government established the College of Herring Fishers, a regulatory body that oversaw the industry and ensured its continued success.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Johan Huizinga deliberately overlooked the significance of the Dutch herring trade, focusing instead on the country's Golden Age of painting and architecture. The Dutch government also played a role in suppressing this story, as they prioritized promoting their cultural achievements over their economic ones. A concrete reason for this oversight is that many of the historical records from the Dutch herring trade were stored in the archives of the Dutch East India Company, which were only recently made accessible to researchers. As a result, the story of the Dutch herring trade was relegated to the footnotes of history, with scholars like Pieter Geyl barely mentioning it in their works. The lack of attention to this topic was further exacerbated by the fact that the Dutch herring trade was a complex and multifaceted industry, making it difficult for historians to tease out its significance.

The Ripple Effect

The Dutch herring trade had a direct impact on the development of the Dutch economy, with the industry's success leading to the growth of related sectors like shipbuilding and salt production. The trade also affected the lives of thousands of people, from the fishermen who caught the herring to the workers who processed and packed the fish for export. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Gibbs quick-freezing method, which was developed in the 20th century but owes a debt to the preservation techniques pioneered by the Dutch herring trade. This method is still used today in the frozen food industry, and its origins can be traced back to the innovative preservation techniques developed by the Dutch to keep their herring fresh.

The Line That Says It All

The Dutch herring trade's legacy can be seen in the fact that the Netherlands is still one of the world's largest exporters of frozen fish products.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Dutch Golden Age and the history of the herring trade in 17th-century Europe.