Slight deterioration terms of trade

Dutch terms of trade of imported and exported goods marginally deteriorated in May 2010 relative to May 2009. Prices of imported goods were 9.0 percent higher, prices of exported goods rose by 8.6 percent. The deterioration was considerably smaller than in the preceding ten months.

The deterioration was predominantly caused by changes in petroleum and natural gas prices. The Netherlands imports considerably more petroleum than it exports and exports much more natural gas than it imports. Petroleum prices were much higher in May 2010 than in May 2009. Natural gas prices were also higher than one year previously, but of a different order of magnitude. Higher prices for petroleum derivatives and basic metals also contributed to the increase in import prices. Export prices of petroleum derivatives, basic metals and chemical products were also much higher than one year previously.

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

Terms of trade

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