Export growth slows down

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that the volume of exports of goods was 0.9 percent up in December 2015 from December 2014. Growth was less substantial than in the preceding month, when exports grew by 2.3 percent. In December, exports of transport equipment, chemical, oil and (basic) metal products grew most noticeably. Statistics Netherlands’ Exportradar shows that circumstances for Dutch exports were less favourable in February than in January and December. The volume of imports was 3.4 percent up in December from December 2014. In November, year-on-year volume growth of imports was 4.4 percent.

More transport equipment, chemical, oil and (basic) metal products exported

In December 2015, Dutch manufacturers exported more transport equipment, chemical, oil and (basic) metal products, but the volume of natural gas exports declined.

This week, CBS reported that year-on-year output realised by manufacturers of chemical and metal products was higher than one year previously.

Circumstances for Dutch exports less favourable in February

Statistics Netherlands’ Exports Radar shows that, on balance, circumstances for Dutch exports are less favourable in February than in December. Circumstances are largely determined by developments on the most important markets for Dutch exports and by the competitive position of the Netherlands. The Exports Radar shows that - on an annual basis - exchange rate developments and German manufacturing output were less favourable in February than in December. On the other hand, Dutch manufacturers were less negative about their foreign order books.