The table below summarizes the competitive situation that U.S. suppliers face in the Dutch food market in terms of locally produced goods and imports and their respective market shares. In addition, the strengths of supplying countries and also the advantages and disadvantages of local suppliers are mentioned.
The Netherlands is the second largest importer of agricultural products within the EU and continues to be the second largest exporter of agricultural products in the world. Products from other EU Member States lead Dutch imports of consumer-oriented products. In 2024, the United States was the tenth largest supplier of these products to the Netherlands, with imports valued at over $1.6 billion. The port of Rotterdam is the largest port by volume in Europe and the tenth largest port in the world. The Dutch are excellent traders, and much of the agricultural imports are re-exported directly or after adding value through mixing, repacking, or processing. The Netherlands is the world’s second largest exporter of agricultural products after the United States.
Table: Netherlands’ U.S. Market Share Versus Main Suppliers’ Market Share in Consumer Oriented (U.S. exports), Million USD, 2024
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Product Category (product code) Imports in $ million | Main Suppliers, in percentage | Strengths of Key Supply Countries | Advantages and Disadvantages of Local Suppliers | |
Craft beer (HS2203) Total imports: $671 From USA: $4 | 1. Belgium 2. Germany 3. Poland 4. France 13. USA | 56 12 7 6 1 | Competition from neighboring countries, dominated by Belgium and Germany. | Strong demand for new flavors, funky labels, and innovative tastes. |
Distilled Spirits (Product group) Total imports: 1,610 From USA: $153 | 1.UK 2. Germany 3. Belgium 4. USA | 19 18 16 10 | Competition from neighboring countries, dominated by Belgium and Germany. | Strong demand for whiskies with funky labels and innovative tastes. |
Condiments & sauces (Product group) Total imports: $827 From USA: $21 | 1. Germany 2. Belgium 3. Italy 4. Thailand 14. USA | 19 16 10 8 3 | Germany, Belgium, and Italy benefit from proximity and being in the EU market. | Demand for good quality and unique products. |
Walnuts (HS080231 +080232) Total imports: $126 From USA: $61
| 1. USA 2. Chile 3. Germany 4. China | 49 19 11 4 | Competition from Chile and Germany. | Growing demand from the snack industry. Walnuts benefit from their healthy reputation. |
Bakery Goods (Product group) Total imports: $3,750 From USA: 30 | 1.Belgium 2. Germany 3. France 4. Italy 5. U.K. 15. USA | 27 24 7 7 4 1 | Competition from neighboring countries | Growing demand for pastry containing chocolate or confectionary. |
Baked Snack Foods (Product group) Total imports: $2,362 From USA: $23 | 1. Germany 2. Belgium 3. France 4. Italy 14. USA | 28 28 7 5 1 | The top four is close to the market and offers good quality products. | Demand for branded, good quality, and unique products that have a story to tell. |
Chewing Gum & Candy (Product group) Total imports: $746 From USA: $22
| 1. Germany 2. Belgium 3. Spain 4. Poland 8. USA | 28 24 6 5 3 | The top four is close to the market and offers good quality products. | Driven by social media there is local demand for extra sour and extra spicy candy and the United States is popular. |
Coffee (Product group) Total imports: $1,137 From USA: $10 | 1.Germany 2. France 3. U.K. 4. Poland 5. Belgium 16. USA | 30 10 9 8 7 1 | All other suppliers are European countries | Demand for new blends and innovative products. |
Spices (Product group) Total imports: $597 From USA: $3 | 1. China 2. Vietnam 3. India 4. Brazil 5. Germany 22. USA | 21 11 8 8 7 0.5 | Competition from countries in Asia. | Demand for new and good quality spices. Exports of U.S. spices such as vanilla and anise are growing. |
Sweet potato (HS071420) Total imports: $175 From USA: $63 | 1. Egypt 2. USA 3. China 4. Germany | 38 36 7 4 | Competition from Egypt, China, and Honduras. | Restaurants increasingly include sweet potato products in their menu. |
Wine (HS2204) Total Imports: $1,596 From USA: $33 | 1. France 2. Italy 3. Germany 4. Spain 5. Chile 9. USA | 27 17 15 13 5 2 | France, Italy, Germany, and Spain have good quality wines at competitive prices and are moreover popular holiday destinations. | Limited commercial availability of domestic wine in the Netherlands. |
Seafood (Seafood products) Total imports: $5,764 From USA: $111 | 1. Iceland 2. Norway 3. Germany 4. Belgium 5. Denmark 17. USA | 16 10 8 6 5 2 | Iceland and Norway are the leading supplier of cod and salmon, respectively while Germany dominates Dutch imports of pelagic fish. The USA dominates the supply of Alaska Pollack and wild salmon. For shrimp & prawns, cod and lobster, the U.S. competes with several other non-EU exporters. | The Netherlands is an international trader in seafood products, serving foodservice markets throughout Europe. The Dutch increasingly depend on imports for Alaska Pollack, scallops, Sockeye salmon, shrimp & prawns, cod, and lobster. |
Beef (beef and beef products) Total imports: $2,662 From USA: $183 | 1. Germany 2. Belgium 3. Ireland 4. Argentina 5. Poland 6. USA | 16 11 9 8 7 7 7 | Germany and Belgium sell lower quality and price competitive beef. The USA exports high quality and grain-fed beef, known for its consistency and taste, to the high-end retail and food service industry. | There is not enough Dutch beef of high quality available. Ireland, Argentina, Uruguay, and the USA all profit from this deficit. |
Source: Trade Data Monitor
For detailed information on exporting agricultural products to the Netherlands please visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service’s website.
Contact
Office of Agricultural Affairs
Foreign Agricultural Service – The Netherlands
agthehague@usda.gov / +31 70 310 2298