Almost 3.5 bn euros in goods exported to the Baltic states

In the past two decades, Dutch goods exports to the Baltic states have increased almost sixfold, whereas the total of intra-EU exports from the Netherlands has slightly more than doubled. The strongest growth was seen in exports to Lithuania. Last year, the value of goods exports to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia rose to 1.6 billion, 0.8 billion and 1.1 billion euros, respectively. Despite this increase, the Baltic export share remains relatively modest. Lithuania was the 44th largest export market for the Netherlands in 2021. Conversely, in 2020 the Netherlands was the 5th largest supplier of goods to Lithuanian enterprises. Dutch exports to Estonia in 2021 were approximately seven times the volume in 2002, making Estonia rise 16 places to 48 in the ranking of export markets; Latvia ranks 58th. In 2021, altogether 10.8 thousand enterprises in the Netherlands exported goods to the Baltic states.

Lithuania 12th largest market for passenger cars

The Netherlands exports a vast range of products to the Baltic region. Lithuania is an important customer of Dutch transport equipment, including tractive units for semi-trailers, and passenger cars. Total passenger car exports amounted to 4.5 billion euros in 2021. Lithuania holds a 1.4-percent share in Dutch passenger car exports, making it the 12th largest purchaser of passenger cars in terms of export sales volume. The export package for Estonia is dominated by chips and semiconductor devices. Latvia was primarily a customer of flowers and plants, medicines, fruits, chips and semiconductor devices, and mobile telephone equipment. Approximately half of all goods exports to the Baltic states concern re-exports, mainly of telephone equipment, chips, medicines and electrical machines. The majority of the flowers and plants, passenger cars and other motor vehicles that are exported to the Baltic states are produced in the Netherlands.

Baltic states members of the Eurozone

The Eurozone or euro area is a collective term for all countries using the euro as their single currency, now 19 in total. The three Baltic states have adopted the euro most recently. Estonia became a member of the Eurozone in 2011; Latvia joined in 2014 and Lithuania in 2015. Through the elimination of exchange fees and greater price transparency, the euro currency has further facilitated international trade in goods between the member states, in addition to bringing the benefits of an internal market.

Export share of Baltic states has risen since accession

Whereas in 2002, the euro area still held a share of 61.3 percent in Dutch exports, that share declined to 55.0 percent in 2021. By contrast, the Baltic region has become more important for Dutch exporters, as is the case with other countries recently acceding to the Eurozone. The Baltic share in total Dutch goods exports grew from 0.2 percent in 2002 to 0.6 percent in 2021.

Internationalisation Monitor on Eurozone trade

The latest CBS Internationalisation Monitor focuses on the Eurozone, providing in-depth information on various aspects of bilateral trade between the Netherlands and other Eurozone countries. For example, what are common enterprise characteristics of exporters trading inside the Eurozone? How much is earned in the Netherlands from direct and indirect exports of goods and services to other Eurozone countries? And vice versa, which Eurozone members earn the most from trade with our country?