The Chilean public research institute, ODEPA, recently released figures. These show that agricultural products trade between the Netherlands and Chile follow global trends. Dutch agro-goods exports rose slightly by 3,7%. The import of Chilean agro-products, however, declined sharply, by -17.5%. The trade balance was still very much in Chile's favor. It was over $665 million versus $121 million.
The figures below provide a more accurate picture. They show the past four years of exports and a top ten products.
Fresh fruit plays a prominent role in Chilean agro-exports. Avocados and blueberries are the top products. Avocado production in central Chile was disappointing. That was due, in part, to the drought. Exports, therefore, lagged behind those of previous years. Wood pulp exports to the Netherlands have also fallen by more than $176 million. That's in the past two years. But, kiwi, apple, and blueberry exports are ever-increasing. That's partly compensated for the declining wood pulp trade in recent years.
Dutch agro-exports had a disappointing 2019. However, it noticeably improved last year. Cheese, potato products, and animal feed are well-represented in the top 10. For the past four years, lily bulb exports, too, seem to be stable. Chile is a major flower bulb producer in the southern hemisphere. However, the skewed trade balance gives a somewhat distorted picture. That's because it doesn't include agricultural machinery, greenhouse materials, or fertilizers. These accounted for 81% of Dutch agro-related global exports.
For more information:
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Source: Agroberichten Buitenland