Terms of trade deteriorated

In August 2009, Dutch terms of trade of imported and exported goods deteriorated compared with August 2008. Prices of imported goods were 9.5 percent down on one year previously and prices of exported goods were 11.4 percent lower.

The decrease in import prices in August was partly caused by a slump in prices of petroleum, petroleum derivatives and chemical products compared with one year previously. The drop in export prices was mainly the result of lower prices for petroleum derivatives, natural gas, chemical products and basic metal products.

More information on terms of trade can be found in the article "Changes in the terms of trade in goods".

Changes in terms of trade

More figures can be found on the theme page International trade.