Trade in goods increased in the first half of 2025

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More goods were traded internationally in the first half of 2025 than in the first half of 2024. The total value of goods exported was 1.9 percent higher, year on year. This includes both goods that were re-exported to other countries (re-exports) and exports of goods that were manufactured in the Netherlands (domestic exports). The total value of goods imported was 2.0 percent higher than it was in the first half of 2024. This is according to new figures on Dutch international trade released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
In each month of Q1 2025, more goods were traded than in the same month of 2024. In April and May, trade was down from last year, but in June it was higher once again.


Trade in mineral fuels declined

Imports and exports of mineral fuels declined in the first half of 2025: the import value was 11 percent lower, while the export value was 15 percent lower. In other product categories, exports were higher than the previous year, or were down by less than mineral fuels. Food products and live animals saw the largest increase: imports of food products rose by 19 percent and exports of food products rose by 13 percent, year on year.

Less trade with neighbouring countries

Although there has been geopolitical turbulence around the world in recent months, trade with certain neighbouring countries seems to have suffered particularly in the first half of 2025. The value of imports from Belgium and the United Kingdom was down, for instance, as was the value of exports to Belgium and France. However, exports to our main trading partner Germany have increased. This was mainly due to more domestically produced food products and manufactured products being exported to Germany, as well as more re-exports of chemical products to Germany.

Exports to the United States rose by nearly 11 percent in the past six months and imports from China also increased.


More goods imported from China

Goods imports from China were 5 percent higher in the first half of 2025, year on year. This was mainly due to more imports (by value) in January (mainly electrical and home appliances) and February (mainly laptops and tablets, home appliances and toys).

Increase in exports to the US

Exports to the United States were up by 11 percent. The increase was particularly marked in February, March and April. One of the reasons for this was an increase in exports of specialised machinery and components, pharmaceutical products and medicines. In May and June, however, exports of pharmaceuticals and medicines and petroleum products to the US were lower, year on year.


This news release coincides with the publication of Dutch Trade in Facts and Figures 2025, Statistics Netherlands' comprehensive overview and analysis of Dutch trade, including goods, services and investments. The publication can be accessed via the link below.

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