Less product exported, but at a higher price

Despite the corona crisis, the value of agricultural exports has grown by 2020% in 1. This is apparent from new figures from Statistics Netherlands and Wageningen Economic Research. Nevertheless, the figures are somewhat distorted, because the total volume has decreased by 7%. In short: the price per exported product was higher last year.

New figures from Statistics Netherlands and Wageningen Economic Research, commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, show that the value of agricultural exports increased by 2020% in 1 to €95,6 billion. It's a new record.

Of that total amount, €68,3 billion is accounted for by the export of products of Dutch manufacture and approximately €27,3 billion comes from re-exports. Including agricultural-related goods (for example, agricultural machinery, greenhouse materials and fertilizers), the export value amounts to €105,4 billion.

However, these data are somewhat biased. The total volume of goods exports fell by 7%. The growth in export value is therefore mainly due to an increase in export prices. In addition, the value of Dutch-manufactured agricultural exports fell by 0,6%. The fact that the value of total agricultural exports has nevertheless increased is due to an increase in re-exports: +5,1%.

Floriculture most important sector
Also this year the most important sector is the floriculture sector. In 2020, €9,5 billion worth of these products were exported. That is 0,3% more than last year. "Ornamental products also provide the most export earnings of all agricultural groups," according to the researchers.

The value of meat exports is in second place, although a small decrease of 3% was visible compared to 2019. The value comes to €8,7 billion. The dairy and eggs and vegetables categories also show a decline in exports: 4% and 3% respectively.

Last year, especially more agricultural products went to Germany: +4% to €24,6 billion. The share that goes to Germany is therefore 26%. Belgium, the United Kingdom and France follow, although exports to these destinations decreased slightly. Of the total, 67% is sold on the European market (excluding the United Kingdom).

China rose 1 position last year and is now the fifth most important export destination, with a share of 4%. "For the most part, this involves pork and baby milk powder."

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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