The export of Dutch products to the United Kingdom was 24 percent higher in the first quarter of 2021 when compared to the same quarter last year. At the same time, re-exportation to the United Kingdom dropped by 26 percent. Because of this, the total export to the United Kingdom remained virtually unchanged. The total export of goods grew 5 percent in the first quarter of 2021. The export of flowers and plants increased by 179 million euros, as was shown in the preliminary figures of the CBS regarding the trade of international products.
Largest increases and decreases. In the first quarter of 2021, the export of flowers and plants increased by 179 million euros relative to the first quarter of 2020.
The export value of goods from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom reached 5.7 billion euros within the first quarter. The re-exports accounted for 3.2 billion during that period. In 2020, the Dutch economy profited around 56 cents for each euro of Dutch goods exported to the United Kingdom, compared to 14 cents for each euro in re-export.
The importance of Dutch export to the United Kingdom increased
In the first quarter of 2021, the total export of goods produced in the Netherlands grew by 8 percent, significantly less than the growth in export to the United Kingdom (24 percent). In part, this is because the amount of oil and gas being exported has increased compared to the previous year. The prices of oil and gas have increased considerably within the first quarter.
Because of this development, the export interest for Dutch-made goods to the United Kingdom increased from 6.5 percent in the first quarter (1st quarter 2020) to 7.5 percent. This might be just 1 percentage point higher than in 2020, but compared to the first quarter of 2016, the amount of Dutch goods exported to the United Kingdom was a good 1 percentage point less.
Considerably more export in oil and gas
Exporters of Dutch products to the United Kingdom, with a growth of 235 million euros, mainly sold more oil and gas in the first quarter of 2021. The export of flowers and plants grew with 179 million euros. Besides that, the export of medical devices and other medical supplies really took off in the first three months of the year. On the other end of the spectrum, the export of Dutch-made passenger cars to the United Kingdom lagged considerably in the first quarter of 2020.
Click here for more information and graphs.