Both the export and import value of agricultural goods to and from the Netherlands increased in 2025. However, the value of imports grew faster. This is evident from joint research by Wageningen Social & Economic Research (WUR) and Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
The export value of agricultural goods exported from the Netherlands was €137,5 billion in 2025. This is 8,4% more than the previous year. Dutch agricultural exports amounted to €88,4 billion in 2025, and re-exports to €49,1 billion. Agricultural imports amounted to €95,1 billion last year, an increase of 11,3% year-on-year.
The increase is primarily due to price increases, but both imports and exports also grew in volume. Imports rose by almost 4% and exports by almost 3%. This means that volume growth accounts for approximately one-third of the increase.
Agricultural goods include both primary products such as pork and onions and processed products such as cheese and fries. In 2025, €13,3 billion worth of dairy and eggs were exported, and €12,1 billion worth of meat. This represents a 12% increase in export value compared to 2024. Dairy and egg prices rose by 13%, and export volume decreased slightly. The export value of potatoes and vegetables amounted to €9,4 billion.
Cocoa and cocoa-based products such as cocoa butter and chocolate have become significantly more expensive. Their export value has consequently increased by 35% to €12,4 billion. This places these products second in agricultural export value, behind dairy and eggs, and ahead of horticulture. Fruit (€9,6 billion) and potatoes and vegetables (€9,4 billion) are in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Among imports, cocoa and cocoa preparations rank first with €11,4 billion, followed by fruit (€9,6 billion), natural fats and oils (€8,3 billion) and dairy and eggs (€6,4 billion).
Export value to Poland increases by 24 percent
Germany remains the most important destination for Dutch agricultural goods. A quarter of agricultural exports went to Germany in 2025. The value of exports to Germany increased by 10%, while exports to Belgium and France grew by 7%. Exports to Poland increased in value by 24%.
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) have also calculated the Dutch economy's earnings from exports (the export value minus the value of imports required for production). This amounts to over €49 billion, of which €43,5 billion comes from the export of Dutch-made products. €5,7 billion was earned from the re-export of agricultural goods produced abroad.