The Netherlands is considered a major exporter of various products, including mineral fuels, oil, machinery, and electronics. It has secured its rank among the top 4th exporters, serving as a major sourcing hub for European countries. Around 81% of the refined petroleum is being imported by other countries from the Netherlands. Broadcasting equipment constitutes 5.2% of exports, amounting to 48 billion USD in trade. Germany is one of the Netherlands' top trading partners. It buys 22% of its imports from the Netherlands.
This blog will explore various aspects of the Netherlands' exports and how it is an important source of products for countries across Europe.
The Netherlands is one of the world's strongest export economies. Its total exports reached about 722.29 billion US dollars in 2024, according to United Nations trade data. The country also recorded exports worth 699.26 billion US dollars and a trade surplus of about 78.16 billion US dollars, indicating strong global demand.
Recent data shows that exports in January 2025 alone reached nearly 69.8 billion US dollars, signaling steady trade activity going into 2025 and 2026. The Netherlands serves as a major European trade hub due to advanced logistics and strong connections across the EU. Most exports move to nearby European countries, which keeps shipping fast and efficient for global buyers.
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The Netherlands exports a wide range of products that support global supply chains. The top export industries include mineral fuels, machinery, and electrical equipment, which are among the largest categories in international trade.
Refined petroleum alone accounted for about 75.7 billion US dollars in exports, while broadcasting equipment and computers also generated tens of billions of US dollars.
Medical products, such as packaged medicines and medical instruments, are also major contributors, highlighting the country’s advanced manufacturing base. Vehicles, chemicals, and plastics further diversify exports and reduce reliance on a single sector. Let's look in detail at what the Netherlands exports most and the size of its export market.
Agriculture is one of the most famous Dutch export strengths. The Netherlands is the second-largest agricultural exporter in the world, with exports worth over 140 billion US dollars in 2024. Products such as dairy, meat, vegetables , fruits, and flowers are shipped globally.
Advanced greenhouse technology allows farmers to grow crops year-round with efficient water use and automated systems. This innovation helps maintain consistent quality, which is important for B2B buyers.
Key export items include dairy products, valued at 13.53 billion US dollars, and live plants and flowers, valued at 12.91 billion US dollars. Strong productivity makes the country a reliable food supplier for Europe and beyond.
Machinery is one of the Netherlands' largest export sectors. Exports of machinery, including nuclear reactors and boilers, reached about 99.07 billion US dollars in 2024. Semiconductor manufacturing machines alone generated around 35.5 billion US dollars, which shows strong global demand for Dutch technology.
High-tech equipment supports industries such as electronics, automotive, and automation. These tools help manufacturers improve production speed and accuracy, which increases efficiency.
The Netherlands benefits from strong engineering expertise and modern infrastructure, which helps companies ship complex equipment worldwide. This makes the country an attractive sourcing destination for industrial buyers planning long-term investments.
Chemicals and pharmaceutical products form another important export pillar. Pharmaceutical exports alone were valued at about 38.49 billion US dollars in 2024. Organic chemicals and other chemical products together add tens of billions more, which shows strong manufacturing capacity.
Data also lists packaged medicaments among the top exports, at around 38.3 billion US dollars, confirming high global demand for Dutch medical goods.
Strict European production standards help build trust with international buyers, especially in healthcare and specialty chemicals. Because of this reliability, many companies choose Dutch suppliers for regulated products.
Energy exports play a major role in Dutch trade. Mineral fuels, oils, and distillation products generated about 105.90 billion US dollars in 2024, making them the largest export category. Refined petroleum alone accounted for more than $ 75 billion in exports.
The Netherlands serves as a distribution hub for energy across Europe due to its strong port infrastructure and transport networks. This position supports a steady supply for industries that depend on fuel.
Natural gas is another important export that strengthens regional partners' energy security. Stable energy trade keeps the country central to European supply chains.
Electronics exports continue to grow as global demand rises. Electrical and electronic equipment exports were valued at about 63.20 billion US dollars in 2024. Products such as broadcasting equipment brought in nearly 48.6 billion US dollars, while computers added about 43 billion US dollars.
Medical instruments and optical devices also contribute significantly, reflecting the country’s advanced innovation ecosystem.
This technology focus helps the Netherlands stay competitive in modern industries like telecom, health tech, and digital infrastructure. Buyers benefit from reliable, high-quality, high-performance equipment.
The Netherlands maintains strong trade ties with many countries. Germany, Belgium, and France are the leading destinations, while the United Kingdom and the United States also rank among the top buyers. In 2025, Germany received about 22.7 percent of Dutch exports, followed by Belgium at 11.7 percent. China, Sweden, and Poland are also important markets with diverse export networks. Most exports go to European Union countries due to geographic proximity and trade agreements that reduce barriers. This broad partner base supports stable long-term growth.
Germany is the Netherlands' largest trade partner. Dutch exports to Germany totaled about 155.21 billion US dollars in 2024. Another dataset shows Germany receiving roughly 22.7 percent of total exports.
The close economic link is supported by shared borders and integrated supply chains, which facilitate faster, cheaper transport. Germany’s strong manufacturing sector creates constant demand for fuel machinery and components from Dutch suppliers.
Because both economies are highly industrialized, this partnership is expected to remain dominant through 2025 and beyond.
Belgium is another key buyer of Dutch goods. Exports to Belgium reached about 84.18 billion US dollars in 2024. In percentage terms, Belgium accounts for around 11.7 percent of total exports. In 2025, Belgium imported 109 billion USD worth of goods from the Netherlands.
The two countries benefit from short transport routes and strong regional trade corridors, especially for chemicals and energy products. Shared logistics networks help businesses reduce delivery times.
This close partnership supports continuous trade flows and strengthens the Netherlands’ role as a regional distribution hub.
The United Kingdom remains an important non-EU partner. Dutch exports to the UK were valued at about 43.89 billion US dollars in 2024. It also holds a roughly 6.3 percent share among export destinations. In 2025, it imported goods of around 58 billion USD from the Netherlands.
Trade continues despite post-Brexit adjustments because both markets rely on each other for machinery, fuel, and consumer goods. Strong shipping links across the North Sea support steady cargo movement.
For exporters, the UK offers a large consumer base and stable demand, which keeps it among the top trade partners.
The United States is a major high-value market for Dutch exporters. Shipments reached around 38 billion US dollars in 2024. The US also accounts for about 5 percent of total exports.
Trade between the two countries often focuses on technology, medical products, and specialized machinery, which typically carry higher margins.
This transatlantic relationship helps Dutch companies expand beyond Europe and access one of the world’s largest economies.
Asian markets are becoming more important for Dutch trade. Exports to China were worth about 22.06 billion US dollars in 2024, while shipments to South Korea reached nearly 9.99 billion US dollars. China alone holds about a 2.6 percent share among export partners.
Growing industrial demand in Asia increases the need for machinery, technology, and chemicals from Europe. This trend is likely to continue into 2025 and 2026 as supply chains expand globally.
Diversifying toward Asian economies reduces risk and opens new growth channels for Dutch exporters.
Many companies prefer sourcing from the Netherlands because it is a major global trade hub with strong foreign business engagement. The country also records consistent trade surpluses, which signal economic stability.
Advanced logistics and connections across Europe allow goods to move quickly, which reduces delays for buyers. Most exports go to EU markets, which means businesses can easily access a large regional customer base.
These advantages create a reliable environment for long-term partnerships and large-scale procurement.
The Netherlands offers strong opportunities due to its large export volume and diverse product mix. With exports above 700 billion US dollars, the market provides scale for international businesses.
Its role as a gateway to Europe allows companies to distribute goods across neighboring countries efficiently. High demand for machinery, energy, and electronics creates steady sourcing options for distributors.
Businesses that partner with Dutch suppliers can benefit from established trade routes and dependable supply chains, which support long-term growth.
Despite strong trade performance, companies should carefully review market conditions. Exports from the Netherlands are worth over 621 billion US dollars, which shows intense competition among suppliers.
Export values dropped slightly by about 2 percent in 2024, which suggests sensitivity to global economic shifts. Businesses must also understand regulatory requirements linked to European trade standards.
However, stable trade data and continued high export volumes indicate that risks are manageable with proper planning.
The Netherlands remains one of the world’s most influential trading nations, with exports exceeding 700 billion US dollars and strong global partnerships. Key sectors such as energy, machinery, electronics, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals continue to drive international demand.
This blog will help exporters and importers by providing updated data on the Netherlands' trade, export partners, and the industries in which it has flourished in its trade with top importing countries. So keep on reading and expanding your business horizon.
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