In the first quarter, goods trade was higher every month than a year earlier. In April and May, trade was lower, and in June again higher than a year earlier.
The Netherlands traded less in mineral fuels in the first half of 2025: the import value is 11 percent lower, and the export value is 15 percent lower. For other product categories, exports are higher than a year earlier or have declined less than for mineral fuels. Trade in food and live animals increased the most: 19 percent more food products were imported, and 13 percent more were exported than a year earlier.
Although global trade has entered more turbulent waters in recent months, trade with some neighboring countries was lower in the first half of the year. This applies to the import value from Belgium and the United Kingdom, and to the export value to Belgium and France. Exports to our main trading partner Germany have grown. This is mainly due to a higher export value of Dutch-made food products and manufactured goods, and more re-exports of chemical products to Germany.
Exports to the United States increased by almost 11 percent in the past half year; in addition, imports from China rose.
Imports from China are 5 percent higher than a year earlier. This is mainly due to a higher import value in January (mainly electrical and household appliances) and February (mainly laptops and tablets, household appliances, and toys).
Exports to the United States are 11 percent higher. The increase is mainly seen in February, March, and April. The increase from February to April is partly due to more exports of specialized machinery and parts, pharmaceutical products, and medicines. In May and June, exports to the US of pharmaceutical products and medicines and petroleum products were lower than a year earlier.
