With new import and export records, Dutch commercial enterprises showed they were also global players in fresh fruit and vegetables in 2018. The import value increased by five per cent to €7.6 billion. The export value increased by four per cent to €11.3 billion, the UK had a share of €1.2 billion in this. It’s therefore not surprising that Brexit exercises many minds.
UK second export market
All of Europe struggled with high temperatures and dry weather during the summer months. This affected the yields of a number of products. For example, more than 40 per cent fewer onions were harvested in volume. Seventy per cent of the onions is sold outside of the EU, and Senegal, Ivory Coast and Guinea are frontrunners. The warm summer was good for cucumber growers, resulting in higher prices. Turnover to Germany increased by six percent, and the export to the UK increased to €1.2 billion. The UK is the second sales market for the Netherlands, with a share of ten per cent. The strongest growth was realised in May and July. The top five of tomato, onion, bell pepper, cucumber and pear is good for nearly 70 per cent. The fruit and vegetable sector does everything possible for export to continue as smoothly as possible after Brexit on 31 March. France (+10%) and Spain (+12%) also imported more from the Netherlands. Both countries bought more onions and avocados.
Tomato major export product
Nearly 90 per cent of the export was sold in countries within the EU. With its considerable fresh network, the Dutch fruit and vegetable sector manages to fulfil its role as importer well. Moreover, they add value to products by ripening them and providing them ready-to-eat, for instance.
The Dutch export increase is mostly because of fruit with an increase of eight per cent. Apple, grape, banana, avocado, blueberry and raspberry showed a considerable increase in value. The top three export markets in turnover outside of the EU are: Norway, Switzerland and the US. The export of Dutch pears to China, Norway and Kazakhstan are on the rise. In 2018, more than 2,000 tonnes of pears were exported to China. Nearly two-thirds of the import comes from outside of the EU. Grapes from South Africa, apples from Chile, and bananas from Costa Rica and Ecuador show the biggest increase.
The export value of fresh vegetables was at a similar level as in 2017. Tomato is at the top of the list of export products.
For more information:
Groentenfruit Huis
www.groentenfruithuis.nl