The export of Christmas items accounted for 40 percent of the total in the European Union in 2024. These are almost entirely imported items that are shipped through the Netherlands to other countries. 81 percent of Christmas items come from China. This was reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) based on the latest figures.

With an export value of 268 million euros, the Netherlands is the largest exporter of Christmas items, such as Christmas balls and other decorations, in the EU. Very few Christmas items are produced here; the export value consists of 99 percent re-export and transit.

In 2024, the Netherlands imported Christmas items worth 240 million euros. This also makes the country the largest importer of these goods in the EU.

More exports in the second half of the year

The export value of Christmas items in 2024 was 19 percent higher than a year earlier. The value of 268 million euros was the highest level since 2019, when 284 million euros worth of Christmas items were exported. The export was especially higher in the second half of the year than in previous years and had never been this high in a second half-year before.

1) Due to a trend break correction, the data from 2021 and earlier differ from those on StatLine