Dutch farms exported 123.8 billion euros worth of products. The amount was therefore slightly higher (1.6 percent) than a year ago. This was mainly due to higher prices. The size was actually slightly smaller, according to research by statistics agency CBS and Wageningen University and Research.
In order to produce approximately €124 billion worth of products, the Netherlands also had to import a lot, such as energy and agricultural machinery. If these costs are subtracted, profits remain. This amounted to approximately 50 billion euros.
As in previous years, Germany was the most important customer for Dutch agriculture. Nearly a quarter of the produce went to our eastern neighbors last year. It was followed by Belgium, France and the United Kingdom.
Exports to China actually declined last year. This was a 20 percent decrease. This was mainly because the Chinese were less interested in powdered infant formula and pork than the Netherlands. The country produces more of these products itself.
Dairy products and eggs constituted the largest product group with an export value of about 12 billion euros. Flower and pork farming came in second place with revenues of 11.5 billion and 11.2 billion euros, respectively.
