The Netherlands are among the leading produce exporters worldwide. In recent years, agriculture increased both in terms of production and cultivated areas and many investments have been put in place also with the help of the government.
Imports
In 2012, over 1 million tons of citrus fruit were imported, mainly from South Africa and Spain. Costa Rica tripled the volumes of pineapples sent to the Netherlands in 2009-2012.
The Netherlands imported a total of 3.2 million tons of fresh fruit and mainly oranges (492,185 tons, 15%), apples (336,218 tons, 10%), bananas (325,393 tons, 10%), grapes (322,710 tons, 10%), pineapples (280,062 tons, 8%), tangerines (195,670 tons, 6%), melons (179,487 tons, 5%), grapefruit (169,548 tons, 5%) and pears (159,992 tons, 5%).
Source: ITC Trade Map
The main countries which exported to the Netherlands in 2012 were: South Africa (14%), Spain (12%), Costa Rica and Belgium (9%), Chile and Brazil (7%), Germany (5%), Argentina (4%), Peru and France (3%), Ecuador, Morocco and China (2%).
Countries of origin of Dutch fruit (2012)
Source: ITC Trade Map
As regards vegetables, German and Belgian potatoes are the main produce imported, whereas Spain exports tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and peppers.
Source: ITC Trade Map
In 2012 the Netherlands imported over 3.5 million tons of fresh vegetables, mainly potatoes (2.08 million tons, 59%), tomatoes (249,387 tons, 7%), onions (198,186 tons, 6%), peppers (148,822 tons, 4%), cucumbers (140,178 tons, 4%), carrots (76,100 tons, 2%) and lettuce (71,423 tons, 2%).
Countries of origin of Dutch vegetables (2012)
Source: ITC Trade Map
The main countries exporting vegetables to the Netherlands in 2012 were Germany (43%), Belgium (19%), Spain (15%), France (8%), Israel (3%). .
Exports
Almost all exports are within the EU.
In 2012, the Netherlands exported over 2.4 million tons of fresh fruit and mainly pears (354,327 tons, 14%), apples (318,587 tons, 13%), grapes (241,254 tons, 10%), oranges (223,461 tons, 9%), pineapples (217,484 tons, 9%), bananas (129,492 tons, 5%), lemons (128,406 tons, 5%), grapefruit (123,156 tons, 5%), and melons (120,902 tons, 5%).
Source: ITC Trade Map
The main countries which imported Dutch fruit were Germany (32%), France (9%), UK (8%), Poland and Sweden (5%), Denmark and Spain (4%), Russia and Italy (3%), Austria, Finland, Norway and Czech Republic (2%).
Main destination countries for Dutch fruit (2012)
Source: ITC Trade Map
As regards vegetables, the main destinations (Germany and Belgium) have stabilised over the years. Algeria and UK have grown and onion exports peaked in 2012.
Source: ITC Trade Map
In 2012, the Netherlands exported over 6.8 million tons of fresh vegetables and mainly potatoes (1.8 million tons, 27%), onions (1.5 million tons, 22%), tomatoes (over 1 million tons, 15%), peppers (481,061 tons, 7%), carrots (466,981 tons, 7%), cucumbers (438,205 tons, 6%)and cabbage (152,690 tons, 2%).
Main destination countries for Dutch vegetables (2012)
Source: ITC Trade Map
The three main countries that imported vegetables from the Netherlands in 2012 were Germany (25%), Belgium (16%) and UK (13%) followed by France (4%),Italy Senegal and Sweden (3%), Russia, Algeria, Poland, Czech Republic and Spain (2%).