Exports rose 0.8 percent year on year in May, following a 0.4 percent increase in April. Imports of goods were lower than a year ago. There was a 3 percent drop in May.
The statistics office also measures each month whether conditions are favorable or unfavorable for international trade. According to Statistics Netherlands, conditions for exports are less favorable in July than in May. This is mainly due to the fact that exchange rate developments are less favourable. Producers in Germany, the Netherlands’ most important trading partner, and throughout Europe are also more negative. Furthermore, the opinion of Dutch and European industrial entrepreneurs about their foreign orders has worsened.