Agriculture does not contribute to economic growth

Gross domestic product (GDP) rose sharply in the Netherlands in the second quarter of 2017. This increase is mainly due to an increase in exports and the fact that consumers are spending more money on food. Statistics Netherlands will announce this on Wednesday 16 August. 

GDP has increased by 1,5% compared to the first quarter of 2017. This growth is exceptionally high and has only happened twice in this century. With this increase, GDP has now grown for 2 quarters in a row. 

Causes of the growth
GDP in the second quarter of 2017 was more than 3,3% higher than in the same period last year. The growth is caused by multiple factors, such as: an increase in spending, higher consumption and more investment. The companies in the Netherlands mainly exported more chemical products, machines and other equipment. It was also noticeable that imports grew less strongly. 

Agricultural sector does not contribute
The agricultural sector does not contribute to this growth and even shows a decrease of 0,2%. "The decline in the agricultural sector is mainly caused by the decline in livestock," said Peter Hein van Mulligen, chief economist at Statistics Netherlands. In addition, agriculture moves less along with changes in economic growth. "Growth in livestock farming has always been moderate, while that of other industries is sometimes very large or very negative."

Who does contribute?
The largest increase is due to business services. This grew by no less than 2017% in the second quarter of 5,9. The construction sector in the Netherlands also showed a significant increase, namely 5,6%.

Figures on CO2 emissions
In addition, CBS also released figures on CO2 emissions. The agriculture, mineral extraction, industry and construction sectors emitted slightly more, 0,3%, CO2 than in the same period last year. These sectors are jointly responsible for almost 23% of total CO2 emissions.

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