Dutch Trade Surplus at 5-Month Low

The Netherlands’ trade surplus widened to EUR 9.90 billion in February 2026 from EUR 9.45 billion a year earlier, as exports declined at a slower pace than imports. Exports fell 4.0% year-on-year to EUR 61.44 billion, reflecting lower sales to non-EU countries (-12.1%), while exports to EU countries rose 1.4%. Among commodities, outbound shipments declined most for mineral fuels and lubricants (-11.1%), beverages and tobacco (-8%), food and live animals (-5.6%), and raw materials (-3.8%). Meanwhile, imports dropped at a faster pace of 5.5% to EUR 51.54 billion, as purchases fell from both EU (-1.3%) and non-EU (-9.3%) markets. Arrivals were sharply lower for mineral fuels and lubricants (-22.4%) and, to a lesser extent, for miscellaneous manufactured goods (-5.9%). In the first two months of the year, the Dutch trade surplus stood at EUR 19.45 billion, as exports declined 4.8% while imports fell 5.8%.

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.