Exports up by nearly 5 percent in August

In August 2026, the total volume of goods exported (adjusted for the number of working days) was up by 4.9 percent, year on year, as reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Companies exported more machinery, in particular. Exports of transport equipment were also higher. In July, exports grew by 2.3 percent. Meanwhile, the volume of goods imported in August 2026 was up by 2.0 percent, year on year. This was mainly due to imports of machinery and electronic products.

Conditions for exports more favourable in October than in August

CBS updates its visual guide to Export Conditions every month. These conditions are largely determined by developments in the key sales markets for domestic exports and by the competitive position of the Netherlands. Although the indicators shown in the visualisation are closely linked to export activity, an improvement in conditions does not necessarily mean higher export growth.

The conditions for exports were more favourable in October than they were in August. That is mainly because producer confidence in Germany and the eurozone was less negative.