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Cheese trade supply increasingly non-Dutch
The Dutch cheese trade has had another good year, with a record export of more than a million tons. However, the supply of this cheese increasingly no longer came from the Netherlands itself, partly due to the declining milk production.
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This was stated by chairwoman Marlou Verkleij at the New Year's meeting of the Stichting Nederlandse Zuivelbeurs. This trade association of Dutch cheese producers, traders and processors is concerned about the development of milk production in the Netherlands. That it is declining seems a given. However, the speed at which milk production threatens to decline is a particular concern for cheese traders. There must be time to adapt to the circumstances.
In addition, the cheese industry is concerned about the rapidly rising wage costs. Last year, they rose by 3,3% and in 2025 and 2026 they also seem to rise by more than 3%. This puts the Netherlands out of step with the rest of the eurozone and threatens the competitiveness of the industry.
Production down
According to preliminary data, 970.000 tonnes of cheese were produced last year, 20.000 tonnes, or more than 2% less than in 2023. However, exports increased by 4,2% to 1.076.000 tonnes. More was exported to destinations within the EU in particular. A total of 895.000 tonnes, which is 6,5% more than in 2023 (and 22,6% more than in 2020). The importance of the European market is therefore increasing sharply, but at the expense of exports to third countries. These fell by 6,2% to 181.000 tonnes. Partly due to geopolitical tensions.
US exports
Nevertheless, destinations outside the EU remain of great importance for cheese exports, Verkleij emphasized. Exports to the US, for example, have remained stable in 2024 despite everything and are a good buyer for various companies. President-elect Trump threatens to make imports to the US more difficult. The dairy trade is concerned about this, but it has a trump card up its sleeve, Verkleij said with a wink. Former ambassador Pete Hoekstra is honorary master of the cheese scales in Gouda and may still be able to put in a good word for the Dutch.
Sharply rising imports
The Netherlands itself continues to import cheese in large quantities. Last year 498.500 tonnes, which is 6,1% more than in 2023. This is partly to compensate for the declining Dutch supply. Of the aforementioned imports, 489.000 tonnes came from the European Union and 9500 tonnes from countries outside the EU. Part of this import is re-exported, another part is consumed in the Netherlands itself.
The prospects for cheese sales remain good, provided that the product price does not rise so much that consumers can no longer afford it. Another reason to keep wage increases and other costs under control, it was said.