Growth exports slows down

Statistics Netherlands reports that the total volume of goods exports grew by 3.0 percent in February 2016 compared to February 2015. Growth was less substantial than in January. The total volume of imports was 5.9 percent up in February from one year previously.

The CBS Exports Radar indicates that circumstances for export are less favourable in April than February.

More petroleum derivatives, metal products and transport vehicles exported

In February 2016, Dutch manufacturers exported more petroleum derivatives and (basic) metal products. They also exported more transport vehicles (like cars and lorries), but the volume of natural gas exports declined.

Last week, CBS reported data on manufacturing output in February, showing that the production of transport vehicles was also higher than one year previously.

Circumstances for Dutch exports less favourable

The CBS Exports Radar shows that, on balance, circumstances for Dutch exports are slightly less favourable in April than in March and February. Conditions are largely determined by developments on the markets most important for Dutch exports and by the current competitive position of the Netherlands. April’s Export Radar shows that the year-on-year development of Germany’s manufacturing output is more favourable than in February. On the other hand, year-on-year exchange rate developments and the various confidence indicators provide a less favourable picture.

Sources

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