Exports to emerging markets: 20 bln euro

Dutch goods exports to countries in the emerging market regions amounted to nearly 20 billion euro last year. This is 6 percent more than in 2001. The development was in contrast to total Dutch exports, which fell by 4 percent to 233 billion euro in 2002.

Goods imported from the emerging markets fell by more than 6 percent to 39 billion euro last year. Total goods imports fell by nearly 6 percent in 2002 to 206 billion euro.

Share of emerging markets in total goods trade

Trade deficit smaller

The deficit on the balance of trade with the emerging markets shrank from 23.3 billion euro in 2001 to 19.6 billion euro in 2002. The Netherlands has a trade deficit with all the regions constituting the emerging markets, with the exception of central and eastern Europe.

Computers main trade items

Computers and computer components account for the largest share in the growth of exports to emerging markets. Together these goods have accounted for 20 percent of the total increase in exports in the last six years.

For imports, too, computers (including components) account for the largest part of the increase in the last six years, with 26 percent. It should be noted in this respect that the Netherlands is not the producer but the international distributor of these goods.

Poland: export growth market

Goods exports to central and eastern Europe rose by 1.1 billion euro to 9.7 billion euro in 2002, making this region the main growth market within the emerging markets.

Since 1998, Poland in particular has become an important market for Dutch goods. The value of exports to Poland rose by 6 percent last year to 2.7 billion euro. Poland is now the twelfth largest export market for the Netherlands.

Emerging markets with highest export values

China: growing imports

In spite of a fall in imports of more than 6 percent, with 24.1 billion euro Asia is still the main region for imports from emerging markets.

With imports worth 8.9 billion euro China is the main goods supplier from Asia in 2002. In 1997 it had to share this title with Taiwan, but since 1998 it has been unrivalled at the top. China is the sixth most largest exporter to the Netherlands.

Emerging markets with highest import values

Wiel Packbier