- Fur trading: The Dutch established trading posts in present-day New York and along the Hudson River, where they traded with Native Americans for beaver pelts and other valuable furs. This trade was very lucrative and provided significant profits to the Dutch.
- Farming: The Dutch were also interested in farming and saw North America as a fertile land for agriculture. They founded settlements where they grew crops like wheat, corn, and tobacco. The land was cleared for agriculture and settlements. The colony produced agricultural products such as wheat, fruits, and vegetables. Some farmers also raised livestock.
- Fishing: The abundance of fish in the waters off the North American coast attracted Dutch fishermen. They set up fishing stations in present-day New Jersey and Connecticut, where they caught cod, herring, and other species.