Half of Dutch good exports to Germany manufactured in the Netherlands

Germany is by far the most important destination for Dutch exports. More than half of Dutch goods exported to Germany are manufactured in the Netherlands. The remainder are re-exported.

Nearly one quarter of Dutch exports to Germany

Last year, the value of Dutch goods exported to Germany approximated 75 billion euro, nearly a quarter of the total value of goods exports. Germany was followed by Belgium (11 percent), France (9 percent), the United Kingdom (8 percent), Italy and the United States (5 percent each). If only products manufactured in the Netherlands are taken into account, Germany is still easily the most important exports partner. In this alternative classification, the United States (US) rise from sixth to fifth place.

Dutch exports by destination and type, 2009

Dutch products important part of exports to distant countries

For Dutch exporters, re-exports are mainly profitable to nearby countries. Exports of Dutch product dominate exports to distant countries like Nigeria, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and the US. Re-exports constitute the largest share in total exports value to European countries like Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Poland, Spain and the Czech Republic. Exports of one euro worth of Dutch product contribute more than six times as much to the national economy as one euro worth of re-exports.

Highest and lowest export shares of Dutch product in 2009; exports worth more than 1 billion euro

Exports of Dutch product

The value of Dutch exports of home-made products to Europe was 130 billion euro in 2009, i.e. three quarters of total exports of Dutch product. The most important products exported to European countries are food, drinks, raw materials and mineral fuels. Raw materials and mineral fuels are also often exported to Africa and South America. Chemical products are predominantly exported to North America, machines and transport equipment manufactured in the Netherlands are mainly exported to Asia and Oceania.

Exports of Dutch products by continent, 2009

Pascal Ramaekers and Tessa de Wit