Exports volume up

The volume of goods exports was more than 2 percent larger in December 2009 than twelve months previously. In November 2009, the volume of exports was virtually the same as in November 2008. It should be taken into account that the substantial downturn in exports started in November 2008. The volume of goods imports shrank by 1 percent in December. This is substantially less than in previous months. Volume figures have been corrected for the number of working days.

According to the Exports Radar for February 2010, conditions for Dutch exports have improved compared with one month previously. Since May 2009, the situation has gradually picked up after a long period of deterioration.

In December, the value of exported goods totalled 26.9 billion euro, more than 1 percent up on one year previously. The value of imports grew by nearly 3 percent to 24.6 billion euro, resulting in a trade surplus of 2.2 billion euro, i.e. 0.3 billion euro down on December 2008.

The import value of raw materials and mineral fuels and chemical products grew substantially. For exports the largest increase was for chemical products. Exports to EU countries decreased slightly, but non-EU exports were substantially higher than twelve months previously.

Partly as a result of lower prices of natural gas and chemical products, export prices were more than 3 percent lower than in December 2008. Due to higher prices for petroleum and petroleum derivatives, import prices were 1.5 percent higher. This resulted in a deterioration in the terms of trade of foreign goods compared with December 2008.

Throughout the entire year 2009, exports volume fell by nearly 9 percent, imports by 11 percent.

Goods exports (volume)

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