Trade with new EU members growing

Dutch trade with the ten new EU member states increased in 2003. Compared to 2002 imports increased by 4 percent and amounted to 4.7 billion euro. Exports to the new member states increased by almost 3 percent to reach 7.3 billion euro. At the same time total Dutch imports and exports remained virtually unchanged in 2003 compared to 2002.

Trade with new EU member states, 2003

Small contribution to total trade

Trade with the new EU members is of relatively limited importance. Over 2 percent of the total imports come from these ten countries, whereas 3 percent the Dutch exports go to these countries. The Netherlands’ most important trading partners are Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. These countries account for 80 percent of the trade with the new member states.

Poland most important trading partner

Newcomer Poland is the Netherlands’ most important trading partner among the accession countries. Imports from Poland rose by 2 percent in 2003 totalling 1.6 billion euro. Exports to Poland fell by 4 percent in 2003 to 2.7 billion euro.

Substantial increase imports from the Czech Republic

In 2003 imports from the Czech Republic increased by almost one third to reach 1.1 billion euro. Computers were the most imported article. Imports from the Czech Republic more than doubled over the last five years.

Slight increase exports to the Czech Republic

In 2003 Dutch exports to this new member state were worth 1.6 billion euro, 4 percent up on 2002. The export of plastics and microprocessors increased. Exports to the Czech Republic also more than doubled over the last five years.

Trade with new EU member states, 2003

Half of trade concerns machinery

Almost 50 percent of the trade with the new EU member states consists of machinery, mainly computers, computer components, household appliances and other electrical equipment.

Wiel Packbier