Dutch agricultural exports continue to grow, reaching an estimated 128.9 billion euro in 2024: a 4.8% increase compared to the previous year. Both import and export volumes showed a slight growth, while prices increased at a higher pace. This is reported by Wageningen Social & Economic Research (WSER) and Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
The growth is mainly due to the increase in exports within the European Union, with Germany as the primary market. A quarter of Dutch agricultural exports were destined for the German market in 2024, followed by Belgium, France and the UK. The report shows that almost two-thirds (65%) of agricultural goods exports are made up of Dutch-made products. This share also underlines the importance of the Dutch food industry within agricultural exports. The trade surplus (export value minus import value) of Dutch agricultural goods amounted to €42.8 billion.
Agricultural trade figures, the Netherlands 2024. The left-hand side shows the top 5 of export countries and goods; the right-hand side shows the top 5 import countries and goods. The middle shows the export value of agriculture-related goods.
Export top five
The top five of exported products includes dairy and eggs (12.3 billion euro), ornamental plants (11.9 billion euro), meat (10.7 billion euro), cocoa and cocoa preparations (9.9 billion euro) and potatoes and vegetables (8.9 billion euro). Together, these product groups account for almost 42% of the total export value.
In 2024, exports of agriculture-related goods, such as greenhouse materials and machinery, are estimated at €12.4 billion, up more than 4% from 2023. Germany, Belgium, the UK, France and the US are the top five export destinations, accounting for almost 50% of the total.
Imports also rise, but less strongly
Agricultural imports rose 3.2% to €86.1 billion. As with exports, cocoa, natural oils and fats as well as fruit were the main product groups. Cocoa imports in particular stand out, with an increase in value of over 60% compared to 2023. This is mainly due to higher prices due to scarcity caused by disappointing harvests and increased costs. Also notable is the rise in imports of grain, oilseeds and sunflower oil from Ukraine. Imports of agriculture-related goods are expected to fall by almost 4% to €5.5 billion.
Vulnerabilities in trade chains
The corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine have shown how vulnerable international trade chains can be. Often, the debate about disruptions in the supply of essential goods is about non-agricultural products, such as rare earth metals, solar panels or semiconductors, but this report looks specifically at Dutch agricultural imports. The Netherlands relies heavily on a small number of non-EU countries for some products, for example soybeans, palm oil and animal feed. Nonetheless, there are likely opportunities to diversify sourcing or to substitute these products with alternatives. Additional study is needed to further identify potential risks in strategic dependencies.
Conclusion
The Dutch agricultural sector remains the driving force behind Dutch exports and thus plays an important role in the economy. At the same time, challenges such as the ecological impact of trade in agricultural goods, the impact of Brexit, the war in Ukraine and other disruptions in the supply of essential goods remain important issues. The report provides valuable insights for policymakers and companies involved in agricultural trade.
Source: Wageningen University & Research