In 2021, Dutch agricultural exports exceeded 100 billion euros for the first time. The Netherlands exported a total of 104.7 billion euros, more than 9 percent more than in 2020. The value increased not only because more was exported, but also because the prices for the products were higher. All this is apparent from Statistics Netherlands figures and research by Wageningen University.
The Dutch economy earned an estimated 46 billion euros from the export of agricultural products. Most money is made with floriculture. The Netherlands exported 12 billion euros worth of flowers, plants, flower bulbs and tree nursery products and ultimately earned 6 billion euros. The floriculture export was a quarter more than in 2020, mainly due to the sharp rise in prices of flowers and plants.
Neighboring countries
Dutch agricultural exports mainly go to the closest European neighboring countries. A quarter of agricultural exports, more than 26 billion, went to Germany, and 12.5 billion to Belgium. France and the United Kingdom both account for more than 8 billion euros.
Export growth to the United Kingdom stalled, a side effect of Brexit. Due to the import duties, it is more attractive for third countries to transport goods directly to the former EU member state, the United Kingdom, and no longer to do so via the Netherlands.
baby milk powder
After floriculture, meat is the second most exported agricultural product, with a value of 9.1 billion euros. 4.6 billion euros was earned from meat and meat products. Dairy and eggs earned 4.3 billion euros, and vegetables yielded 3.9 billion euros. Grain, flour and milk exports shrank due to the collapse of baby milk powder exports to China.
Three quarters of agricultural exports, 75.7 billion euros, are of Dutch origin. A quarter, 29 billion euros, is re-export, foreign agricultural goods that go elsewhere via the Netherlands. This usually concerns the import and export of agricultural products that are delivered via the seaports.
Agricultural commodities suffered relatively less from the corona crisis and therefore appear to be less sensitive to the economic situation and crisis. The necessity of food for people means that the corona time has had less effect on the trade in agricultural goods than on other products. Agricultural commodities are essential commodities, and the importance of keeping trade channels open is evident.