Dutch goods exports increased in April, continuing the growth seen in March. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that companies exported more petroleum products, along with higher volumes of electrical machinery, equipment, and transport equipment. Total export growth reached 4.4 per cent.
The increase was stronger than in March, when exports rose by 3.8 per cent. CBS had planned to publish the March figures on Tuesday, 19 May, but postponed the release because of a fire at a data centre in Almere.
Goods exports account for nearly three‑quarters of all Dutch exports. CBS does not publish monthly figures on service exports; these appear only in quarterly and annual reports.
Goods imports grew by 1.2 per cent in April. Imports of petroleum products rose sharply. However, imports of crude oil and gas condensate—a liquid mixture of light hydrocarbons produced during natural gas extraction—declined.
Each month, CBS also assesses the conditions facing exporters. These conditions depend on developments in key export markets and on the Dutch competitive position.
In June, export conditions are just as unfavourable as in April. Exchange rate movements are more favourable, but German industrial production has contracted further. Producer confidence in both Germany and the eurozone has also become more negative.
@ANP | News Brainport
