Dutch import value grows faster than export value

Both the value of the export and import of agricultural goods to and from the Netherlands grew in 2025. However, the import grew faster in value. This is evident from joint research by Wageningen Social & Economic Research (WUR) and the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The export value of agricultural goods exported from the Netherlands was €137.5 billion in 2025. That is 8.4% more than the previous year. The agricultural export of Dutch origin was €88.4 billion and re-exports were €49.1 billion. The agricultural import was €95.1 billion last year, an increase of 11.3% year-on-year. The increase can mainly be explained by price increases, but both imports and exports also rose in volume. Imports by almost 4% and exports by nearly 3%. Thus, volume growth accounts for approximately one-third of the increase. Agricultural goods include both primary products such as pigs and onions as well as processed products such as cheese and fries. In 2025, €13.3 billion worth of dairy and eggs were exported and €12.1 billion worth of meat. This is an increase in export value of 12% compared to 2024. The prices of dairy and eggs rose by 13% and the export volume decreased slightly. The export value of potatoes and vegetables amounted to €9.4 billion. Cocoa and cocoa preparations such as cocoa butter and chocolate have become significantly more expensive. The export value of these has increased by 35% and amounts to €12.4 billion. Thus, these products rank second in export value of agricultural goods, behind dairy and eggs and ahead of horticulture. In fourth and fifth place are fruit (€9.6 billion) and potatoes and vegetables (€9.4 billion). In terms of imports, cocoa and cocoa preparations with €11.4 billion rank first, followed by fruit (€9.6 billion), natural fats and oils (€8.3 billion) and dairy and eggs (€6.4 billion). Export value to Poland increases by 24 percent Germany remains the main destination for Dutch agricultural goods. A quarter of the agricultural export went to Germany in 2025. The value of exports to Germany increased by 10%, while exports to Belgium and France grew by 7%. Exports to Poland rose by 24% in value. The CBS and WUR have also calculated what the Dutch economy earns from exports (the export value minus the value of imports needed for production). This amounts to over €49 billion, of which €43.5 billion comes from the export of products of Dutch origin. €5.7 billion has been earned from the re-export of agricultural goods produced abroad.