Dutch Trade Surplus Widens in September

The Netherlands’ trade surplus widened to EUR 10.4 billion in June 2026 from EUR 10.1 billion in the same month a year earlier. Exports rose 9.4% year-on-year to EUR 71.7 billion, driven largely by higher shipments to both the EU (+14.0%) and non-EU countries (+2.7%). Among commodities, outbound shipments increased the most for chemical products (+21.7%), machinery and equipment (+18.1%), raw materials, non-edible, except fuels (+13.0%), and miscellaneous manufactured goods (+5.5%). Meanwhile, imports grew 10.5% to EUR 61.3 billion, lifted by increased purchases from both the EU (+12.0%) and non-EU countries (+9.2%). Import growth was supported by food and live animals (+3.4%), beverages and tobacco (+16.5%), mineral fuels and lubricants (+17.0%), and animal and vegetable oils and fats (+22.1%). In the January–June period, the Dutch trade surplus stood at EUR 53.3 billion, as exports rose only 0.7%, while imports grew 2.9%.

The Netherlands’ trade surplus narrowed to EUR 6.7 billion in May 2026 from EUR 9.9 billion in the same month a year earlier. This marked the smallest surplus since April 2023, as import rose 8.3% year-on-year to EUR 59.2 billion, driven by higher purchases from both EU countries (7.1%) and non-EU countries (9.3%). Among commodities, inbound shipments increased the most for mineral fuels and lubricants (+39.4%), chemical products (+8.0%), animal and vegetable oils (+6.5%), and beverages and tobacco (+3.3%). Meanwhile, exports increased at a slower pace of 2.1% to EUR 65.8 billion, attributed to stronger shipments to EU countries (7.3%), while exports to non-EU countries fell 5.7%. Export growth was primarily driven by mineral fuels and lubricants (+40.5%), chemical products (+9.5%), and raw materials (+7.0%). In the first five months of the year, the Dutch trade surplus stood at EUR 43.5 billion, as exports fell 0.8% while imports rose 1.4%.

The Netherlands’ trade surplus narrowed to almost EUR 8.0 billion in April 2026 from EUR 8.6 billion in the same month a year earlier. This marks the smallest trade surplus since August last year, as imports rose faster than exports. Imports advanced 7.6% year-on-year to EUR 59.8 billion, reflecting higher purchases from both EU (5.7% vs 5.6% in March) and non-EU (9.3% vs 4.4%) countries. Among commodities, inbound shipments rose the most for mineral fuels and lubricants (+40.3%), chemical products (+7.9%), and beverages and tobacco (+4.4%). Meanwhile, exports rose 5.6% to EUR 67.7 billion, as sales grew from both EU (7.0% vs 7.9%) and non-EU (3.3% vs -6.5%) markets. Exports increased primarily for mineral fuels and lubricants (+31.5%), animal and vegetable oils (+16%), and beverages and tobacco (+4.7%). In the first three months of the year, the Dutch trade surplus stood at EUR 37.7 million, as exports fell 0.6% while imports rose 0.3%.