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The Cheese Market of Gouda: A Historic Tradition Facing Climate Challenges
Explore the rich history of Gouda’s cheese market and its time-honored traditions, while uncovering the challenges posed by climate change. Discover how this iconic industry adapts and preserves its heritage in a changing environment.
The Cheese Market of Gouda: A Tradition on the Brink
On a recent sunny morning in Gouda, a picturesque small city in the Netherlands, hundreds of wheels of vibrant yellow cheese were meticulously arranged in neat rows on the cobblestones of the town square. This scene served as the backdrop for the city’s historic weekly cheese market, which has its roots tracing back to the Middle Ages.
Ad van Kluijve, a local farmer clad in a blue work shirt, adorned with a red bandanna, blue cap, and traditional wooden clogs, engaged in a lively negotiation with a buyer over the price of his latest batch of “jong belegen” cheese, renowned for its delicate yet rich caramel flavor. While the cheese produced here is celebrated worldwide, it often carries the name of the city where it is traded—Gouda.
The haggling that takes place during the market is largely a theatrical performance aimed at entertaining tourists, as the actual price discussions are conducted behind the scenes. Nonetheless, the cheese industry in this region remains a vital aspect of the local economy, contributing approximately 60 percent of the Netherlands’ total cheese production. According to ZuivelNL, which represents the Dutch dairy sector, the export value of this cheese production reaches an impressive $1.7 billion annually.
However, experts warn that this iconic cheese market may not endure for the next 50 to 100 years due to a combination of alarming factors. The city of Gouda, built on a fragile peat marsh, has always been susceptible to sinking. This risk has intensified in recent years as increased rainfall and rising sea levels—both consequences of climate change—pose a significant threat of flooding to the river delta where Gouda is situated.
“We’re not in good shape,” stated Gilles Erkens, a professor at Utrecht University and the head of a research team focused on land subsidence at Deltares, a nonprofit research institute. “It’s a very worrisome situation.”
On one of the central streets in Gouda, known as Turfmarkt, the level of the canal water rises perilously close to the top of the canal walls, serving as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for this cherished cheese market.