In 2018, the Netherlands exported € 90.3 billion of agricultural products. This is a slight growth of 0.2% compared to 2017 (€ 90.1 billion). Exports of agricultural related goods are not included (€ 9.2 billion). Price decreases are an important explanation for the lower growth of agricultural exports than in previous years. The Netherlands is the 2nd largest agricultural exporter in the world after the United States. This is shown in the latest research of Wageningen Economic Research (WUR) and the Statistical Office in the Netherlands (CBS).
Poland strong grower in absolute value
With 2.7 billion, Poland was in 2018 the 9th export destination for Dutch agricultural products and goods and was among the top three largest climbers in absolute value in Dutch agricultural exports: exports increased by € 86 million in 2018. Growing exports of tomatoes, fruit, flowers & plants are the main reasons behind this increase. The last category has been on the rise for the past five years now with annual double growth rates, making Poland currently the 5th export destination for Dutch flowers and plants. Poland also ranks among the top three largest climbers in absolute value in Dutch agricultural imports: total imports from Poland increased by € 136 million, bringing the agricultural trade surplus for agricultural goods between the Netherlands to Poland down to 0.8 billion euro.
More information can be found in the report "The Dutch agricultural export 2018 in broader perspective" (in Dutch).
Dutch agricultural exports
Out of the Dutch exports of agricultural products, most are exported to Germany (€ 22.8 billion) and Belgium (€ 10.2 billion). These are followed by the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain. Flowers and plants (9.2 billion euros), dairy products and eggs (8.5 billion euros), meat (8.1 billion euros), vegetables (6.6 billion euros) and fruit (6.0 billion euros) are the most important export products for the Netherlands.
The Dutch import of agricultural products grew slightly (0.5%) in 2018 and is estimated at EUR 61.4 billion. As a result, the agricultural trade surplus in 2018 is also slightly lower (-0.4%) than in 2017.
Source: www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl