Exports to Taiwan up, exports to US and China down

• Value of both imports and exports grew by 1.4 percent in 2015.
• Exports to Taiwan, Italy and Germany increased, while those to Belgium, the US and China fell. 
• Less mineral fuels were imported and exported, but there was an increase in trade in specialised machinery and medicinal and pharmaceutical products.

The value of Dutch imports and exports of goods grew in 2025. The total value of exports from the Netherlands stood at 655 billion euros, while the total value of imports into the Netherlands was 582 billion. In each case, this represents an increase of 1.4 percent relative to 2024. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this on the basis of new figures for 2025.

In the case of both imports and exports, lower prices were offset by higher volumes. The value of goods traded in 2025 therefore remains below the record level set in 2022, the year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing energy crisis. In the subsequent years, import and export prices fell, as well as the total value of trade.

The value of goods exports was up by 8.8 billion euros, of which 7.9 billion was due to growth in re-exports. Exports of goods manufactured in the Netherlands were up by 1.0 billion euros compared to 2024.

Exports to Taiwan up by the most, in terms of value

In 2025, one-third of Dutch exports by value went to Germany (22 percent) and Belgium (11 percent). However, goods exports to Belgium were down by over 2.7 billion euros, making it the biggest decliner. This drop mainly involved fuel exports, such as crude oil and petroleum products. The US and China also imported significantly fewer goods from the Netherlands last year. In the case of the US, the drop involved refined petroleum products, while in the case of China it involved specialised machinery and semiconductors. Meanwhile, the value of exports to Taiwan increased by over 2.6 billion euros. Taiwan imported more specialised machinery for semiconductor production, in particular.

Imports from South Korea up

Last year, the Netherlands imported more machinery and medicinal and pharmaceutical products from South Korea. Kazakhstan (crude oil), Germany (passenger cars) and Singapore (petroleum products) also exported more goods to the Netherlands (by value) than they did in 2024. Meanwhile, the value of imports from Saudi Arabia, the UK, the Cayman Islands (ships) and India (fuels) was lower.

Exports of mineral fuels down, in particular

The export value of all product groups was up in 2025 compared with 2024, with the exception of mineral fuels. Exports of mineral fuels fell by over 11 billion euros, and this mainly involved goods produced in the Netherlands (domestic exports). The export value of machinery and transport equipment grew by the most, followed by exports of food and live animals.

Imports of mineral fuels also fell sharply in 2025, by value. Imports of machinery and transport equipment and of chemical products, on the other hand, increased.