Record value of agricultural exports and imports in 2022

The value of Dutch exports of agricultural goods rose to 122 billion euros in 2022. The import value also reached a record high of 88 billion euros. In percentage terms, the import value increased more than the export value; 23.5% versus 17.2% respectively. The increase was entirely due to increased prices. This is reported by Wageningen University & Research and Statistics Netherlands (CBS) based on joint research commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.

The trade surplus (export value minus import value) of Dutch agricultural goods amounted to 34.1 billion euros. The share of agricultural goods in the total Dutch goods trade surplus was 79.3% in 2022, up from 73.5% in 2021. These percentages highlight the importance of agricultural and food trade for Dutch goods trade and the Dutch economy as a whole.

Dairy and eggs main export products

Dairy and eggs (11.9 billion euros), ornamental plant products (11.5 billion euros), meat (11 billion euros), beverages (8.1 billion euros) and natural oils and fats (8.1 billion euros) are the main commodity groups in exports. The dairy and eggs product group climbs from spot three in 2021 to the most important product group in 2022. The top five account for 41% of the total export value in agricultural goods in 2022.

Higher prices boost export and import value

Increased prices drove up export and import value. For instance, several commodity prices in 2022 were sharply higher than a year earlier. For instance, milk prices were historically high. Prices of grains and oils rose sharply due to supply chain disruption, among other things. This was caused by the war between Ukraine and Russia. High cereal prices increased the cost of feed for animal sectors, bread and other preparations from cereals, among others.

At the same time, bird flu limited the supply of eggs and poultry meat. Pork supply was also under pressure partly due to outbreaks of swine fever in European countries other than the Netherlands. In addition, global demand for soy increased, even though there were poorer harvests of this crop.

View the infographic ‘Landbouw handelscijfers Nederland, 2022’
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