News Financial
Agricultural export value higher due to price increases
The export value of (unprocessed and processed) agricultural goods increased by 2024% to €4,8 billion in 28,9. The export volume did increase slightly (by 1,1%), but the increase is mainly due to price increases. Almost two-thirds of agricultural exports are of Dutch manufacture, while this is approximately half of total goods exports.
This is reported by Wageningen Social & Economic Research and Statistics Netherlands (CBS) based on joint research commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN). 2024 is the ninth consecutive year in which the value of agricultural exports has increased. The last decrease was in 2015, the institutions said in a report. "The trade surplus, the balance of exports and imports, is estimated at €2024 billion for 42,8, which is by far the highest value ever measured."
According to estimates by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and Wageningen, the Dutch economy earned €47,4 billion from agricultural exports (+4%), of which €42,3 billion was due to Dutch-made exports and €5,2 billion was attributable to re-exports.
Germany now responsible for a quarter
The largest share of agricultural exports remains in the EU, namely 72,2%. This is a slightly larger share than in 2023 (71,1%). Germany remains the most important destination for agricultural products from the Netherlands, but its share increases from 24% in 2023 to 25% in 2024. The value of exports to Germany increased by 8,5% to €32 billion. Belgium is the second largest destination with €16 billion (was €15 billion in 2023), good for a share of 12%. This is followed by France (€10,9 billion, 8%) and the United Kingdom (€9,5 billion, 7%).
| Agricultural goods | 2024 | 2023 |
| 1. Dairy and eggs | 12,3 | 11,8 |
| 2. Ornamental horticulture | 11,9 | 11,4 |
| 3. Meat | 10,7 | 11,1 |
| 4. Cocoa (preparation) | 9,9 | 6 |
| 5. Vegetables | 8,9 | 8,8 |
| 6. Fruit | 8,6 | 7,8 |
| 7. Preparations of vegetables and fruit | 7,4 | 7,2 |
| 8. Drinks | 7,3 | 7,8 |
| 9. Preparations of grain, flour, milk | 6,6 | 6,5 |
| 10. Natural fats and oils | 6,2 | 6,6 |
The top 3 of most exported agricultural products appears to be the same. Dairy and eggs (€12,3 billion) were exported the most. Ornamental horticulture comes in second with €11,9 billion, followed by meat with €10,7 billion. It is striking that the export value of dairy, eggs and ornamental horticulture was 4% higher in 2024 than in 2023, while the value of meat exports decreased by 3%.
Cocoa moves from 11th to 4th place due to high price
A striking increase is cocoa and cocoa preparations (cocoa butter, cocoa paste, cocoa powder and chocolate). The product goes from eleventh place to fourth. The export value increased by 66%. This is due to a very strong increase in the cocoa price. This is mainly due to a worse than average harvest in Ivory Coast and Ghana, two important exporters of cocoa to the Netherlands. Heavy rainfall there has led to more diseases under cocoa trees, according to the CBS. In fifth place are potatoes and vegetables (€8,9 billion). The top 5 is responsible for almost 42% of the total export value.
Linda van Eekeres
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