Dairy, meat and cocoa most important export products

Dutch agricultural exports reached a value of €137.5 billion in 2025. That is 8.4 percent more than in 2024. The increase is largely due to higher prices and, to a lesser extent, an increase in export volumes. This is evident from joint research by Wageningen Social & Economic Research and the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.

Price developments drive export value higher

More than two-thirds of the total growth in agricultural exports can be attributed to price increases. The remaining share is due to higher export volumes. In 2025, the Dutch economy earned more than €49 billion from the export of agricultural goods. Of this amount, €43.5 billion came from products of Dutch origin. The re-export of agricultural goods produced abroad generated €5.7 billion.

Exports of Dutch-origin products increased to €88.4 billion. Re-exports rose to €49.1 billion. The figures for November and December 2025 are estimates.

Dairy, meat and cocoa lead the way

Dairy and eggs remain the most important export product, with an export value of €13.3 billion. That is approximately 10 percent higher than a year earlier. Meat also recorded a value increase of 10 percent, reaching €12.1 billion. The export value of ornamental horticulture products increased by 4 percent.

Notable is the sharp rise in cocoa and cocoa preparations. The export value of this product group grew by 35 percent to €12.4 billion. As a result, cocoa now ranks second among the most exported agricultural products. In 2024, it still held fourth place, and in 2023 cocoa was outside the top ten.

The higher export value is linked to sharply rising cocoa prices. These are the result of several consecutive years of disappointing harvests in West Africa, caused by adverse weather conditions. Higher costs for crop protection products and fertilizers also played a role.

Growth mainly within the European Union

Germany remains the most important destination for Dutch agricultural goods. In 2025, 25 percent of exports went to Germany, with a value increase of 10 percent. Exports to Belgium and France increased by 7 percent. Poland was the fastest-growing destination within the top ten, with an increase of 24 percent.

Exports to countries outside the European Union grew less strongly. Shipments to China increased at a slower pace, partly due to a decline in pork exports. Exports to the United Kingdom and the United States grew only modestly, partly as a result of trade barriers and import duties.

Cbs.nl