Central Statistical Office confirms important contribution of dairy to Dutch economy

The dairy sector makes a substantial contribution to the Dutch economy. In the Internationalisation Monitor issued today, the Central Statistical Office reports that the export of milk and dairy products represented an amount of 7.2 billion euro in the year 2015. Besides, preparations of grain, flour and milk for an amount of 4 billion euro were exported. An important part of this concerned infant milk powder for China and Hong Kong.

The trade surplus of milk and dairy products amounted to 3.7 billion euro last year. This equals 7.8% of the national trade surplus of 47.5 billion euro. Including the preparations of grain, flour and milk powder mainly intended for infant milk powder, the contribution to the trade surplus amounts to over 12%. Dutch agriculture represented 55% of the national trade surplus of last year.