Exports up in February

Goods exported from the Netherlands amounted to a value of 19.4 billion euro in February 2004. This is 1 percent more than in February 2003 according to provisional figures from Statistics Netherlands. The value of imported goods was 1 percent lower at 16.9 billion euro. Prices of both imports and exports were lower in February 2004 than in February 2003. The volume of imports and exports was larger this February than last February. Because this is a leap year, February 2004 had 29 days, but as the extra day was a Sunday, this had little effect.

EU trade lower

The Netherlands exported 14.5 billion euro worth of goods to countries in the European Union. This is 2 percent less than in the same month last year. Exports to most countries in southern Europe rose, however. The value of imports decreased by 3 percent to 9.4 billion euro.

Value of exports to non-EU countries higher

Compared with February 2003, the Netherlands exported considerably more goods to countries outside the EU in February 2004. Exports were 8 percent higher at 4.9 billion euro. Imports from non-EU countries were also higher than one year previously: they rose by 2 percent to 7.5 billion euro.

Less food and drink imported

Just as in January, imports of food and drink were significantly lower in February 2004 than twelve months previously. In February they were 11 percent lower. Imports of machines and transport equipment on the other hand were 4 percent higher than in February 2003.

The differences were smaller for exports. The value of exported raw materials and mineral products was 3 percent lower than in February 2003, while the value of exported chemical products was 3 percent higher.

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