Exports up by over 3 percent in March

These are the most recent figures on this topic. View the previous figures here.
© Hollandse Hoogte / Peter Hilz
In March 2025, the total volume of goods exported (adjusted for the number of working days) was up by 3.2 percent year on year, as reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Export volumes were higher for machinery, chemical products and food, beverages and tobacco, in particular. Meanwhile, the volume of goods imported was up by 2.1 percent relative to March 2024. This was mainly because more chemical products, electrical and optical products, machinery, transport equipment and food, beverages and tobacco were imported.

The CBS Exports Radar for May indicates that conditions for exports have become more unfavourable than they were in March’s radar.

Conditions for exports more unfavourable in May

Every month, CBS also publishes an update on the conditions for exports in its Exports Radar. These are largely determined by developments in key sales markets for domestic exports and by the competitive position of the Netherlands. Although the Radar indicators are closely correlated with export activity, improved conditions do not necessarily mean higher export growth.

According to the CBS Exports Radar for May, conditions for exports have become more unfavourable since March. This is mainly because the year-on-year change in real exchange rates was more unfavourable

Goods exports account for approximately three-quarters of total exports. Figures on services exports are not published monthly. Figures on total exports are published quarterly and annually. The figures in this news release are provisional and subject to revision.

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