Slight improvement in terms of trade

Dutch terms of trade of imported and exported goods marginally improved in June 2010 relative to June 2009. Prices of imported goods were 7.6 percent higher, prices of exported goods rose by 8.1 percent. In the ten preceding months, the  terms of trade deteriorated continually relative to one year previously.

The development of the terms of trade is heavily influenced by the development of petroleum and natural gas prices. The Netherlands imports considerably more petroleum than it exports and exports much more natural gas than it imports. In the preceding months, petroleum prices were up much more on one year previously than natural gas prices. In June, this difference was not as substantial.

Besides higher prices for natural gas, higher prices for petroleum derivatives, basic metals and chemical products also contributed to the increase in export prices in June. Import prices of these products were also much higher than one year previously.

More information on terms of trade can be found in the article Changes in the terms of trade in goods.

Terms of trade

Terms of trade

More figures can be found on the theme page International trade.