Economy

The Dutch chemical sector is facing growing pressure due to high energy costs and limited government action, according to Rotterdam mayor Carola Schouten. Industry groups warn of declining competitiveness and increasing reliance on cheaper imports from abroad.

Dutch small businesses are calling on the government to take urgent action to reduce high energy and fuel costs. Many firms are passing on rising expenses to customers, while others risk losses as fuel prices reach record levels.

Stocks in Amsterdam fell for a second day as tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment, while oil prices continued to climb. Concerns over supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz added to market pressure. Meanwhile, merger talks in the drinks industry lifted shares in Paris.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten has rejected calls to delay government spending on security and innovation, arguing that global instability makes these long-term investments more critical than ever. Despite soaring fuel prices and mounting pressure to provide immediate financial relief to households, the latest Spring Memorandum reveals that the Cabinet has almost no fiscal breathing room left. Jetten warned that halting current projects to fund short-term aid would be a mistake, leaving the government to navigate a difficult balancing act between its ambitious coalition goals and the urgent needs of struggling families.

Royal FloraHolland remains on track for a profitable year, reporting that conflict in the Middle East has had little impact on its flower imports from Africa. Despite global "turbulence," the world’s largest floral marketplace saw profits climb to €12 million last year, as higher plant prices and lower wage costs successfully offset a dip in sales volumes. While interim CEO David van Mechelen warns of a challenging year ahead, the company is shielding itself from market volatility through fixed energy contracts and new sustainability projects at its Aalsmeer site.

Dutch mortgage rates have seen their sharpest weekly rise since March last year, with 41 lenders hiking prices following recent military escalations in the Middle East. According to De Hypotheekshop, the average rate for a 10-year mortgage with a National Mortgage Guarantee now sits at 3.99 per cent, marking one of the largest interest rate jumps since 2008. While these figures remain below the 4.55 per cent peak seen in recent years, experts warn that future costs will stay closely tied to energy prices and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

European stock markets ended lower on Thursday as uncertainty over Middle East peace talks pushed investors into risk‑off mode. The AEX fell 1.3 percent, while oil prices surged sharply again, with Brent crude climbing more than 6 percent.

The European Parliament has approved part of the EU‑US trade deal but added safeguards to ensure the United States honors its commitments. MEPs fear new US import tariffs and have introduced a “safety net” that allows EU concessions to be reversed if the US fails to comply.