The Netherlands exported agricultural goods worth €137.5 billion last year, a 8.4% increase in value compared to the previous year, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and Wageningen Economic Research.
Rising prices accounted for two thirds of the value sales growth, the data showed, with the remainder driven by an increase in export volumes.
The Dutch economy is estimated to have earned more than €49 billion from the export of agricultural goods last year – of this total, €43.5 billion came from goods produced domestically, with €5.7 billion attributed to re-exports of products from other countries.
Top category
Given the Netherlands’ reputation for fine cheese, it’s no surprise that the dairy products and eggs category accounted for the largest share of exports (€13.3 billion), followed by cocoa and cocoa preparations, which saw a sharp rise to €12.4 billion, due to increased commodity prices.
‘Cocoa products are now the second-largest Dutch agricultural export product, while in 2023 this product group ranked in eleventh position,’ Statistics Netherlands noted.
Other notable categories included meat products, which saw exports rise to €12.1 billion, while horticultural products, including bulbs, cut flowers, and nursery plants, reported exports of €12.3 billion.
Exports to Germany
Germany continued to account for the largest share of Dutch agricultural exports, receiving 25% of the total, with the value of these exports rising 10% year-on-year.
The value of exports to Belgium and France rose by 7%, while Poland reported the highest growth of all top-ten export destinations, with a rise of 24% last year. Elsewhere, exports to the UK and the US grew by 5% and 3%. respectively.
Overall, the 2025 export performance demonstrates the resilience and global reach of Dutch agricultural production, supported by both rising prices and modestly increased volumes, with cocoa emerging as a major contributor to export growth. Read more here.
