Netherlands is second-largest exporter and importer of goods in EU

© Hollandse Hoogte / Peter Hilz
The Netherlands is the second-largest importer and exporter of goods in the European Union, after Germany. Our country plays a major role as a distributor of goods from outside the European Union to other EU countries. The Netherlands was the primary trading partner of both Belgium and Germany in 2023. This is reported by CBS ahead of the European elections.
The Netherlands imported goods worth 780 billion euros in 2023. Only Germany imported more goods (with a total value of 1,353 billion euro).

The Netherlands imports a great deal from outside the EU

In 2023, the Netherlands imported almost as much from non-EU countries (458 billion euros) as Germany did (472 billion euros). A total of 59 percent of Dutch goods imports come from non-EU countries. Only Ireland imports more (in percentage terms) from outside the EU (61 percent). The Netherlands receives a relatively large volume of goods from China, while Ireland is more oriented toward the United States and the United Kingdom. Germany, by contrast, imports relatively little from outside the EU (35 percent), and much more from other EU countries such as the Netherlands. Overall, the European Union imports 39 percent of its goods from countries outside the EU.

 

Netherlands is the EU’s second largest exporter of goods

When it comes to exports, too, the Netherlands (with exports worth 866 billion euro in 2023) ranks number two in the EU after Germany (with exports worth 1,562 billion euro). Dutch exports are highly focused on the EU, and 70 percent of them go to other EU countries. Of Dutch exports to the EU, more than two-thirds are part of the transit trade or re-exports. Dutch exports to China (3 percent) and the United States (5 percent) are relatively modest compared to German exports to China (6 percent) and the US (10 percent) , for example. A total of 54 percent of German exports go to EU countries; in the EU as a whole, that share is 62 percent.

Netherlands is the largest trading partner of Germany and Belgium

Adding up goods imports and goods exports provides a picture of the total trade in goods. Each EU country has a main trading partner. In 2023, the Netherlands was the largest trading partner of its neighbours Germany and Belgium. But that has not always been the case. In 2003, for example, the Netherlands was not the most important trading partner of any other EU country. At that time, Belgium was trading the most with Germany, while Germany was trading the most with France. The Netherlands’ main trade partner has been Germany ever since the first figures were collected (except during times of war). Today, however, the Netherlands’ main import partner is China. Germany's main export partner is now the United States.

Germany is the most important trading partner for almost half (13) of EU member states. This is due to Germany's economic importance as an exporter and sales market, as well as its central location and land borders with eight other EU countries. Italy is the main trading partner for three EU countries (Malta, Croatia and Greece).

Compared to 2003, Germany is now the main trading partner for fewer countries (down from 17 countries to 13) and France has also dropped in importance (from 3 countries to 1). In 2003, the UK and Russia were the main trading partners of Ireland and Lithuania, respectively, but they have now been replaced by the USA and Poland.

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