Growing trade with new EU countries

Dutch goods trade with the ten new EU member states is small, but is increasing in spite of the economic headwind. Just over 2 percent of the import value comes from these countries and 3 percent of exports go there.

The Netherlands imported 4.6 billion euro worth of goods from these future EU members in 2002, nearly half a percent more than in 2001. The total Dutch import value fell by six percent in the same period.

Exports to the new EU countries amounted to 7.0 billion euro, just over 9 percent more than in 2001. Total Dutch exports fell by 3 percent in the same period.

Trade with new EU member countries, 2002

Rise in the balance of trade

The balance of trade with the ten new member countries rose by 0.6 billion euro in 2002 to 2.4 billion euro. Nearly half of this surplus was generated by trade with Poland. The rise in the surplus from trade with the Czech Republic is notable: it rose from 0.3 in 2001 to 0.7 billion euro in 2002.

Most trade with Poland

For the Netherlands, Poland is by far the most important trading partner of the ten new countries. Some 40 percent of Dutch imports from and exports to these newcomers come from or go to Poland. Imports from Poland rose by 2 percent in 2002 to 1.6 billion euro. The Netherlands exported 2.7 billion euro worth of goods to Poland last year, 6 percent more than in 2001.

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