The Netherlands’ trade surplus widened to EUR 9.90 billion in February 2026, up from EUR 9.45 billion in the same month a year earlier, as exports declined more slowly than imports.
Exports fell 4.0% year-on-year to EUR 61.44 billion. This drop was driven by a steep 12.1% decline in exports to non-EU countries, partly offset by a 1.4% increase in exports to EU partners. By commodity group, exports decreased most notably for mineral fuels and lubricants (-11.1%), beverages and tobacco (-8.0%), food and live animals (-5.6%), and raw materials (-3.8%).
Imports contracted at a faster rate, falling 5.5% to EUR 51.54 billion. Purchases from both EU and non-EU markets declined, by 1.3% and 9.3%, respectively. The sharpest reduction was recorded for mineral fuels and lubricants (-22.4%), while imports of miscellaneous manufactured goods also fell (-5.9%).
Over the first two months of 2026, the Dutch trade surplus reached EUR 19.45 billion, with exports down 4.8% and imports decreasing by 5.8%.
