Dutch Trade Surplus Narrows in January

The Netherlands' trade surplus narrowed to EUR 8.06 billion in January 2026 from EUR 11.05 billion in the same month a year earlier. This marked the smallest trade surplus since August 2025, as exports fell 5.1% year-on-year to EUR 61.44 billion, reflecting weaker shipments to both EU (-3.5%) and non-EU (-7.5%) markets. The largest declines were recorded in machinery and transport equipment (-1.4%), chemical products (-5.6%), and mineral fuels, lubricants and related products (-9.3%). Meanwhile, imports decreased 3.5% year-on-year to EUR 53.38 billion, as arrivals from both EU (-4.6%) and non-EU (-0.8%) markets dropped. The sharpest declines were seen in chemical products (-10.2%), mineral fuels, lubricants and related products (-13.1%), and food and live animals (-3.3%).

The Netherlands' trade surplus narrowed slightly to EUR 9.72 billion in December 2025 from EUR 9.70 billion in the same month a year earlier. Imports rose 4.1% year-on-year to EUR 56.5 billion, supported by higher arrivals from EU (2.7%) and non-EU countries (5.4%). By commodity, imports climbed for food and live animals (6.2%), animal and vegetable oils (35%), machine and transport equipment (11.3%), and miscellaneous manufactured goods (6.5%). Meanwhile, exports grew 3.5% to EUR 66.2 billion, driven largely by increased sales to EU (5.2%) and non-EU countries (1.2%). Exports advanced for beverages and tobacco (8.7%), raw materials (10.1%), and goods not individually mentioned (59.3%). For the whole year, the country’s trade surplus narrowed to EUR 117.5 billion from EUR 124.6 billion in the same period last year.

The Netherlands’ trade surplus narrowed to EUR 10.7 billion in November 2025 from EUR 11.7 billion in the same month a year earlier. Exports fell 1.4% year-on-year to EUR 66.4 billion, reflecting weaker sales to EU (-2.0%) and non-EU (-0.6%) markets. By commodity, exports declined for food and live animals (-2.7%), beverages and tobacco (-5.6%), and mineral fuels and lubricants (-8.6%). Meanwhile, imports edged up 0.1% to EUR 55.8 billion, with higher arrivals from non-EU countries (+2.1%) nearly offset by lower imports from EU countries (-1.9%). Imports rose sharply for animal and vegetable oils (+49.9%) and, to a lesser extent, food and live animals (+2.3%), partially offset by declines in beverages and tobacco (-2.9%), raw materials (-8.2%), and mineral fuels and lubricants (-11.4%). For the January–November period, the country’s trade surplus narrowed to EUR 111.3 billion from EUR 123.5 billion in the same period last year.