In August 2025, the Netherlands experienced a decrease in its trade surplus, which fell to EUR 7.74 billion from EUR 9.07 billion in August of the previous year. This represents the lowest surplus since April 2023. The drop was primarily due to a 3.5% reduction in exports, amounting to EUR 61.47 billion. The downturn was influenced by reduced sales in both EU countries (-3.2%) and non-EU countries (-4%). Notably, there was a significant decline in the export of chemical products (-12.9%), mineral fuels and lubricants (-10.8%), and beverages and tobacco (-5%).
On the import side, there was a more modest reduction of 1.7%, bringing the total to EUR 52.73 billion. Imports from non-EU countries declined by 3.1%, although this was slightly counterbalanced by a 0.1% increase in imports from EU countries. There was a marked decrease in the purchase of raw materials (-12.2%), animal and vegetable oils (-7.1%), and chemical products (-6.8%). For the period from January to August, the trade surplus for the Netherlands narrowed to EUR 80.10 billion, compared to EUR 90.96 billion during the same timeframe the previous year.
