In 2018, almost half of all goods imports became re-exports

The Netherlands’ participation in global value chains

Authors: Marjolijn Jaarsma, Khee Fung Wong

Dutch goods trade, value in euros (2018) 419 bn euros Imports of goods 157 bn euros Imports by domestic industries 61 bn euros Imports for consumption 201 bn euros Imports for re-exports 246 bn euros Re-exports 241 bn euros Exports of Dutch-manufactured goods

By operating in international production chains, the Netherlands has strong ties with other countries. This is reflected, among other things, in the types of goods traded by the Netherlands. Intermediate goods, for example, make up an important share of Dutch imports and exports. Such goods are not only important for the Dutch production process, but they are also traded via the Netherlands or developed in the country. This chapter looks at the composition of Dutch flows of imports and exports, distinguishing between intermediate goods, capital goods, mineral fuels, consumer goods and other goods.

6.1Key findings

As a trading nation, the Netherlands has strong links with other countries through production and transport chains. Whereas in the past, most products were manufactured and consumed in one and the same place, this picture has changed significantly over recent decades. Production chains have been ‘cut up’ in various places around the world, and imports and exports comprise an increasing share of goods that have not yet reached their end destination. A growing part of the worldwide trade in goods consists of trade in what are called intermediate products, such as semi-manufactured products.

In 2018, the Netherlands imported around 419 billion euros in goods. Nearly half of this total – 201 billion euros – was sent abroad immediately in the form of re-exports. Approximately 37 percent, or 157 billion euros, of these goods were imported by enterprises that further processed them into new intermediate or end products, while goods worth 61 billion euros were destined for immediate domestic use, such as consumption. These patterns have hardly changed compared to 2015. Total import value rose by 17 percent between 2015 and 2018. Imports used for re-exports grew the fastest, while imports for domestic consumption showed the least growth. The development of imports varied widely from one sector to another. Imports by the petroleum industry and the chemical industry in particular were sharply higher in value in 2018 than in 2015. This increase was partly due to the higher oil price and the phasing out of gas production in Groningen (CBS, 2019; CBS, 2016). The motor vehicle and trailer industry, the machinery industry, the construction sector and the food, beverages and tobacco industry also imported more between 2015 and 2018.

Nearly 40 percent of the import value in 2018 consisted of intermediate goods, such as raw materials, chemical products, machine parts or semi-finished products. Consumer goods made up the second-largest group of imported products, accounting for 23 percent of total imports. Examples of such goods are clothing, food or consumer electronics. Capital goods such as robots, lorries or machinery for the production process made up 19 percent of total imports in 2018. Mineral fuels such as crude oil, refined petroleum products and natural gas represented some 15 percent of the import value in 2018. Compared to 2015, intermediate goods and mineral fuels made up a higher share of Dutch imports in 2018, while the share of capital goods decreased slightly.

Imports in 2018 that were directly consumed in the Netherlands consisted for the most part – 37 percent – of consumer goods, such as fruit, shoes and smartphones. In imports for re-export, intermediate goods were the largest product group, with a 40 percent share. Intermediate goods made up an even larger share of imports by Dutch sectors, at 47 percent. Semiconductor components, batteries and machine parts are examples of such intermediate goods. Furthermore, imports used in re-exports consisted in large part of consumer goods.

In 2018, total Dutch goods exports stood at nearly 487 billion euros. The growth rate of exports (16 percent) therefore lagged slightly behind that of imports (17 percent) between 2015 and 2018. Goods exports comprise Dutch manufactured (domestic) exports and re-exports. Between 2015 and 2018, re-exports grew faster (19 percent) than domestic exports (13 percent). In 2018, re-exports contributed about 246 billion euros (51 percent) to total exports. Domestic exports lagged slightly behind, with 241 billion euros (49 percent).noot1

The composition of the two export flows is very similar, with intermediate goods making up the largest group of domestic exports as well as re-exports. The share of intermediate goods also increased slightly in both export flows between 2015 and 2018. This shows that the Netherlands is increasingly integrated into international production processes, as these are goods that are further processed in other countries.

The food, beverages and tobacco industry, the chemical industry and the electrotechnical industry achieved the highest exports in 2018. In 2018, exports by the food, beverages and tobacco industry consisted largely of consumer goods, such as beverages, chocolate or prepared foods. Nearly 90 percent of chemical industry exports consisted of intermediate goods, such as medical and pharmaceutical goods, hydrocarbons and plastics.

International trade – both by the Netherlands and the rest of the world – increasingly consists of intermediate goods. The growing trade in these intermediate products indicates that countries and their industries are increasingly operating in international production chains. Most of the intermediate goods produced in the Netherlands, such as steel, cocoa butter or chemical intermediates, are sold to Germany. Germany is therefore not only our most important export partner (see Chapter 5), but also the largest consumer of intermediate goods produced in the Netherlands. After Germany, the United States is the largest end-user of intermediate goods made in the Netherlands.

6.2Composition and development of total Dutch goods imports

This section charts the development of Dutch imports. A distinction is made according to the type of product that is imported. Dutch goods imports can be divided into five types: intermediate goods, capital goods, consumer goods, mineral fuels, and other goods.noot2

This section explains what happens to imports. For example, some imports are destined for consumers or enterprises, while others are intended for re-export.

Import value grew by 17 percent between 2015 and 2018

The Netherlands imported some 419 billion euros worth of goods in 2018, as shown in Figure 6.2.1.noot3 This was 60 billion euros more than in 2015, which was an increase of 17 percent. Nearly 40 percent of these imports consisted of intermediate goods. These are intermediate or semi-finished products used by enterprises in the production of ‘final’ goods or the end products. Intermediate goods are goods which, given their nature, are mainly used by manufacturing and other sectors in their production process. Examples are raw materials such as iron ore or coal, machine parts or products from the agricultural sector such as cocoa, soy or sugar. Between 2015 and 2018, imports of intermediate goods grew by nearly 20 percent, which was slightly more than total imports.

6.2.1 Composition of Dutch goods imports, 2015-2018 (bn euros)
Jaar Intermediate goods Consumer goods Capital goods Mineral fuels Other
2015 138.1 81.1 71.9 51.0 16.7
2016 142.9 86.6 74.9 43.1 13.5
2017 158.1 93.0 77.6 52.9 13.0
2018 165.2 95.5 81.1 63.3 13.8

Share of mineral fuels in imports has grown

Consumer goods constituted the second-largest group of imports. These are goods that are purchased by consumers to meet a need. Examples of consumer goods are furniture, electronics, food or clothing. In 2018, around 23 percent of the total import value consisted of such consumer goods. This share has remained the same in comparison to 2015, which means that imports of consumer goods grew in line with total imports.

Capital goods are goods that are used in the production process, for instance to produce consumer goods or services. Examples include lorries, cranes, robots or machinery that are used in the production process. Imports of capital goods represented around 19 percent of total imports in 2018. Growth in imports of these goods remained slightly lower than total growth. As a result, the share of capital goods in imports declined somewhat between 2015 and 2018.

Mineral fuels such as petrol, diesel or natural gas are not included as intermediate goods in this classification, but are considered as a separate category. The reason for this is that mineral fuels are exposed to strong price fluctuations, which could distort the development of intermediate goods. Mineral fuels are the fourth category of imports, making up 15 percent of the total. In addition, this import flow grew faster than the other four types of goods, in line with the increased fuel price.

Goods which cannot be classified under these four categories are included in the category ‘other goods’. Examples are cars, certain types of military equipment such as weaponry and ammunition, postal packages and specific aircraft and shipping components (see OECD, 2017). In 2018, around 3 percent of the total import value consisted of other goods.

Nearly half of imports go directly abroad

Figure 6.2.2 shows that slightly less than half of the import value in 2018 comprised goods that went abroad as re-exports. These are, for example, goods from China that go through Dutch customs clearance and are released for the European market, and are then resold to a buyer in Germany, for instance.noot4 Franssen et al. (2020) show that 51 billion of the 55 billion euros of Dutch imports from Asia go on to other countries in Europe in the form of re-exports. Imports destined for re-export have grown slightly faster than imports for domestic use since 2015, increasing by 19 percent. As a result, just over half of total import growth between 2015 and 2018 (32 billion euros) consisted of goods destined for re-export.

Around 37 percent of imports are processed further

Of the 419 billion euros of imports that entered the Netherlands in 2018, a share of 157 billion – 37 percent – was imported by enterprises and industries. These imports rose by 17 percent between 2015 and 2018, which is equal to the growth rate of total imports.

6.2.2 Destination of Dutch goods imports, 2015-2018 (bn euros)
Dutch industries Domestic consumption Re-exports
2015 134.4 55.7 168.7
2016 130.8 58.1 172.1
2017 144.5 59.9 190.2
2018* 157 61.2 200.6

Some 15 percent of imports go directly to Dutch consumer

The third and also the smallest import flow in Figure 6.2.2 consists of imported goods that go directly to the Dutch consumer. In 2018, these imports totalled more than 61 billion euros. Examples of such goods are laptops from China, oranges from South Africa or wine from France. Imports that go directly to consumers accounted for around 15 percent of total imports in 2018. Compared to the two other import flows – imports for re-export and imports for enterprises – this import flow grew the least, by 10 percent from 2015.

Sharp rise in imports by petroleum and chemical industries

We can focus more closely on the 157 billion euros of imports by Dutch sectors by looking at the level of each individual industry. Figure 6.2.3 shows which of the 20 sectors and industries in particular imported more in the period under review. The petroleum industry and the chemical industry in particular recorded a significantly higher import value in 2018 compared to 2015. However, the import value of these industries is strongly influenced by developments in the crude oil prices and, to a lesser extent, the exchange rate. The price of a barrel of North Sea Brent oil was relatively low in 2015, at around 53 US dollars. By 2018, the price had risen to nearly 72 US dollars. The fact that gas production in the Netherlands has declined over recent years also plays an important role in the growth in imports of mineral fuels (CBS, 2019). The motor vehicle and trailer industry, machinery, construction, and the food, beverages and tobacco industry also increased their imports between 2015 and 2018. Section 6.3 looks in more detail at the type of goods imported by the various sectors.

6.2.3 Top 20 industries with largest growth in import value between 2015 and 2018 (x million euros)
Growth
Petroleum industry 5228
Chemical industry 4612
Motor vehicle
and trailer industry
2642
Machinery industry 2332
Construction 2023
Food, beverages
and tobacco industry
1568
Basic metal industry 1149
Other industries 875
Wholesale and retail
trade
687
Rubber and plastics industry 591
Paper industry 586
Accommodation
and food services
563
Metal manufacturing 552
Specialised business services 387
Transportation and storage 351
Agriculture, forestry, fishing 348
Timber industry 259
Furniture industry 253
Other transport
equipment industry
249
Building materials industry 244

6.3Composition of goods imports by type of product

Goods that are sold directly to Dutch consumers are different in nature and content from goods that are imported by Dutch enterprises and from goods that are re-exported. This section discusses these differences and shows the extent to which the three import flows differ or are similar in terms of composition.

Types of goods, import value in euros (2018) Import of goods by Dutch industries 157 bn euros Import of goods directly intended for domestic consumption 61 bn euros Import of goods directly intended for foreign consumption 201 bn euros Intermediate goods Consumer goods Capital goods Mineral fuels and lubricants Other 79 44 53 23 1 12 15 3 23 8 74 22 20 37 5

Consumer goods take up largest share in domestic consumption

In 2018, consumer goods accounted for around 37 percent of goods imported by the Netherlands that went directly to consumers. This share came to nearly 23 billion euros. Goods imported and sold to Dutch consumers include clothing, consumer electronics such as telephones or computer games, and also food products such as fruit. The second and third product categories after consumer goods are capital goods (25 percent) and intermediate goods (19 percent). Capital goods and intermediate goods that can be purchased by consumers include computers, DIY materials, tools and agricultural products (fruit can either be bought directly in a shop or further processed by the food industry). Mineral fuels account for around 5 percent of imports intended for direct consumption.

Intermediate goods account for 40 percent of imports for re-export

In 2018, more than 79 billion euros of the 201 billion euros of imports for re-export consisted of intermediate goods. These goods may be machine parts or raw materials that are exported via the Netherlands to other European countries. Compared to 2015, imported intermediate goods became slightly more important for re-exports, with the share growing by 1 percent to 2018. Consumer goods were the second-largest category of goods imported for re-export in 2018, totalling 53 billion euros. Examples of such goods are clothing and consumer electronics, which are imported by the Netherlands and immediately re-exported. The share of consumer goods imported for re-export also increased slightly compared to 2015. Capital goods such as industrial plants, forklift trucks or transport vehicles made up some 22 percent of imports for re-export, at 44 billion euros. This share has declined slightly since 2015. Mineral fuels, at 12 percent, represented a limited and constant share of imports intended for re-export.

Intermediate goods account for 47 percent of imports by Dutch sectors

It makes sense for imports by enterprises to consist largely of intermediate products, i.e. raw materials and/or semi-manufactured goods that are subsequently processed into end products or consumed in the production process. In 2018, more than 74 billion of the 157 billion euros of imports for re-export consisted of intermediate goods. The importance of intermediate goods in these imports has also increased slightly compared to 2015. The output resulting from the use of these intermediate goods by the Dutch business economy can either be intended for domestic consumption or for export as part of the next step in the global value chain. With a share of 23 percent, mineral fuels were the second-largest group of products imported by Dutch sectors in 2018. This share was slightly larger than in 2015, mainly due to higher fuel prices. Capital goods, at 14 percent, and consumer goods, at 12 percent, represent a limited share of imports by sectors of industry in the Netherlands.

On average 53 percent of imports for manufacturing consist of intermediate goods

Figure 6.3.1 looks in greater detail at imports by the Dutch business economy, focusing on the 20 sectors that imported the most goods in 2018.noot5 Most manufacturing sectors import mainly intermediate goods, but there are sometimes striking differences between the various subindustries.

With imports totalling just over 24 billion euros, the petroleum industry was once again the sector with the highest import value in 2018. It is not entirely surprising that imports in the petroleum industry consist almost exclusively of mineral fuels. This is in line with the nature of this industry and its production process. The food, beverages and tobacco industry reported the second-highest imports of goods, at 20 billion euros. Nearly two-thirds of these imports consist of intermediate goods, such as raw materials, food products or agricultural products that are processed further in the Netherlands. In addition, this industry imports relatively large amounts of consumer goods, which possibly undergo some minor processing. Compared to 2015, imports of consumer goods by this sector of industry showed the strongest growth.

Figure 6.2.3 showed that, after the petroleum industry, imports by the chemical industry have grown the most compared to 2015. This is mainly because this industry has imported substantially more other goods, intermediate goods and mineral fuels since 2015. The share of intermediate goods in imports by the chemical industry continues to be large, at 65 percent, but it was larger in 2015. The highest shares of imported intermediate goods are found in the timber industry (94 percent), rubber and plastics production (89 percent), paper industry (88 percent), metal manufacturing industry (88 percent), motor vehicle and trailer industry (87 percent) and printing industry (87 percent). The electrotechnical industry and the machinery industry import relatively large amounts of capital goods, such as robots. Outside manufacturing, in the wholesale and retail sector and in the information and communication sector, imports of intermediate goods are also high. Consumer goods often find their way into the accommodation and food services sector.

6.3.1 Composition of goods imports by top 20 importing industries, 2018 (bn euros)
Intermediate goods Capital goods Consumer goods Mineral fuels Other
Petroleum industry 0.4 0 0 24.1 0
Food, beverages
and tobacco industry
13 0.2 6.4 0.3 0.2
Chemical industry 10.8 0.1 0.4 4.1 1.3
Electrotechnical industry 1.6 10.6 0.2 0 0.1
Construction 7.9 1.6 1.1 0.3 0
Machinery industry 5.6 2.9 0.3 0 0
Other industries 3 0.8 4 0.7 0.1
Motor vehicle
and trailer industry
5.8 0.7 0.2 0 0
Wholesale and retail trade 2.9 0.9 0.5 0.5 0
Transportation and storage 0.3 0.1 0.1 1.2 2.9
Metal products industry 3.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0
Energy 0.2 0 0 3.1 0
Basic metal industry 2.7 0 0 0.7 0
Accommodation and
food services
0.4 0.1 2.5 0.2 0
Information and communication 1 1.5 0.2 0 0
Rubber and plastics industry 2.3 0 0.2 0 0
Paper industry 2.1 0 0.2 0.1 0
Other transport
equipment industry
1.2 0.5 0.3 0 0
Electronics industry 1.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0
Specialised business services 0.9 0.4 0.3 0.1 0

6.4Origin of Dutch goods exports

In 2018, Dutch goods exports totalled nearly 487 billion euros, which resulted in an export value that was more than 68 billion euros (+16 percent) higher than in 2015. This meant that exports grew slightly less rapidly than imports (+17 percent) during the period under review.

As Figure 6.4.1 shows, the value of goods exports can be divided into two categories: domestically produced (domestic) exports and re-exports. In 2015, re-exports accounted for 49 percent of total goods exports and domestic exports made up 51 percent. During the next few years, re-exports grew faster (+19 percent) than domestic exports (+13 percent) and in 2018, the picture was reversed. In that year, re-exports accounted for 51 percent – 246 billion euros – and domestic exports 49 percent for just under 241 billion euros.

6.4.1 Composition of export value of goods, 2015-2018 (bn euros)
Domestic exports Re-exports
2015 212.2 206.3
2016 209.5 211.4
2017 227.5 233.3
2018 240.6 246.1

Strongest export growth in intermediate goods

Figure 6.4.1 shows a number of things. For example, it shows that the shares of re-exports and domestic exports are about the same. It also makes clear that both export flows grew between 2015 and 2018. Figure 6.4.2 shows that the composition of the two export flows is very similar. In both 2015 and 2018 and in both export flows, intermediate goods formed the largest product group. Intermediate goods had the highest share of domestic exports, at 39 percent in 2018, compared to a share of 35 percent for re-exports. Compared to 2015, the importance of intermediate goods increased for both re-exports (1 percentage point) and domestic exports (3 percentage points). In other words, between 2015 and 2018, exports from the Netherlands were increasingly likely to consist of intermediate goods, especially if these were of Dutch manufacture. This shows that the Netherlands is ever more integrated into international production processes, as these are goods that are further processed in other countries.

Around a quarter of both domestic exports and re-exports consists of consumer goods. Where the two export flows differ is in the importance of mineral fuels and capital goods. Capital goods account for a larger share in re-exports, while mineral fuels account for a larger share in domestic exports.

6.4.2 Composition of goods exports by type of product (bn euros)
Intermediate goods Capital goods Consumer goods Mineral fuels Other
Domestic exports 2015, Domestic exports 76.4 25.7 49.6 27.6 32.8
Domestic exports 2018, Domestic exports 93.2 30.3 59.6 27.7 29.9
Re-exports 2015, Re-exports 71.8 46.7 49.2 19.6 19.1
Re-exports 2018, Re-exports 87 52.8 61.1 23.3 21.9

6.5Composition of Dutch goods exports

Figure 6.5.1 shows – in a similar way to Figure 6.3.1 – how the domestic goods exports of the 20 largest exporting sectors are composed.noot6

Chemical industry exports more than one-third of intermediate goods

Figure 6.5.1 shows the composition of the exports of the 20 Dutch sectors and industries that export the most. The food, beverages and tobacco sector reported the highest exports in 2018, followed by the chemical and electrotechnical industries. A significant part of exports by the food, beverages and tobacco industry in 2018 consisted of consumer goods. These include products such as beer, chocolate or infant formula. This industry alone accounted for half of the total exports of consumer goods by Dutch sectors in 2018. Compared to 2015, exports by the food, beverages and tobacco industry grew by nearly 5 billion euros (13 percent). Consumer goods are also exported relatively often by agriculture, forestry and fishing, other transport equipment manufacturing and the pharmaceutical industry. The chemical industry ranked second in terms of export value in 2018. Nearly 90 percent of the export value of this industry consists of intermediate goods, such as medical and pharmaceutical goods, hydrocarbons and plastics. As such the chemical industry alone accounts for nearly 36 percent of total exports of intermediate goods by Dutch sectors. Compared to 2015, exports by the chemical industry have grown the fastest of all sector, increasing by nearly 9 billion euros. This growth largely consisted of intermediary goods.

Goods exports by the electrotechnical industry came to 26 billion euros in 2018. Nearly three-quarters of these goods belong to the category ‘other goods’. Not entirely surprisingly, exports from the petroleum industry and mining and quarrying consist nearly entirely of mineral fuels such as motor fuels and natural gas. Exports from agriculture, forestry and fishing consist almost equally of intermediate goods and consumer goods. Exports by the machinery industry consisted almost entirely of intermediate goods and capital goods.

6.5.1 Composition of domestic exports in the top 20 most exporting industries, 2018 (bn euros)
Intermediate goods Capital goods Consumer goods Mineral fuels Other
Food, beverages and
tobacco industry
8.3 0 29 0 3.1
Chemical industry 30.3 0 2.8 0.7 0
Electrotechnical industry 2.3 4.4 0.3 0 19.2
Machinery industry 8.4 12.3 0.1 0 0
Petroleum industry 0.4 0 0 20.2 0
Motor vehicle
and trailer industry
1.5 4.5 0 0 6
Agriculture, forestry, fishing 5.7 0.1 6.1 0 0
Basic metal industry 5.8 0.2 0 0 0
Wholesale and retail trade 2.7 1.5 0.5 0 0.9
Other transport equipment industry 1.1 1.4 3 0 0
Mining and quarrying 0.3 0 0 5.1 0
Rubber and plastics industry 3.8 0 1.3 0 0
Metal products industry 3.3 1 0.1 0 0
Paper industry 3.2 0 1.1 0 0
Pharmaceutical industry 1.1 0 2.7 0 0
Electronics industry 1.7 0.9 0.5 0 0
Other industries 0.3 0.7 1.2 0 0
Textiles, clothes, leather and footwear industry 0.9 0 1.2 0 0
Building materials industry 1.2 0 0.1 0 0
Water and waste management 1 0 0 0 0

Intermediate goods have been on the rise in world trade in recent decades. For the Netherlands, too, we can see that the share of intermediate goods in exports is increasing, especially in domestic exports. The growing trade in these intermediate products indicates that countries and their manufacturing industries are increasingly operating in international production chains. Chart 6.5.2 follows the export flow of intermediate goods from the Netherlands in international value chains and shows in which countries these goods are ultimately consumed. One example is cocoa butter, which is made in the Netherlands from imported cocoa and then exported to other countries. Other intermediate goods are parts for passenger cars, which are manufactured in the Netherlands (e.g. steel or car roofs) and then exported to Germany. The German automotive industry assembles the parts, after which the car is ultimately exported to, for example, China. Figure 6.5.2 shows which countries consume the most goods that incorporate intermediate goods produced in the Netherlands.

6.5.2 Consumption of Dutch-manufactured intermediate goods, 2016
2016
Germany 10.57405307
US 6.777825493
UK 5.345776793
France 4.709315581
China 3.944590095
Belgium 3.762083877
Italy 2.705335563
Other 30.70437913

Dutch intermediate goods go mainly to Germany and the US

Intermediate goods produced in the Netherlands are most often found in goods consumed in Germany. This makes Germany not only the most important export market for the Netherlands, but also the most important consumer of Dutch-manufactured intermediate goods. Of the nearly 78 billion euros in intermediate goods manufactured in the Netherlands in 2016, 15 percent (11 billion euros) were ultimately destined for consumption in Germany. After Germany, the United States is the largest end-user of intermediate goods made in the Netherlands. This is notable, given that the US is the fifth largest destination in terms of total exports from the Netherlands. Belgium, France and the United Kingdom therefore consume fewer goods incorporating Dutch intermediate products than the US does.

Consumption of Dutch intermediate goods increases in Sweden, the UK, Russia and Spain

Of the larger trading partners, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Russia and Spain in particular consumed more intermediate goods produced in the Netherlands in 2016 than in the previous year. Among the smaller export partners, more goods incorporating Dutch intermediate goods were consumed in Israel, Cyprus, Singapore and Ireland in particular. France, Italy and smaller trading partners Malta, Indonesia and Hong Kong consumed fewer goods incorporating Dutch intermediate products in 2016.

6.6References

Open references

References

CBS (2016). Import compenseert vermindering aardgaswinning. Statistics Netherlands: The Hague/Heerlen/Bonaire.

CBS (2019). 2018: eerste handelstekort in aardgas. Statistics Netherlands: The Hague/Heerlen/Bonaire.

Franssen, L., Lemmers, O., Prenen, L., & Wong, K.F. (2020). Het Verenigd Koninkrijk afhankelijker van Europese Unie dan eerder gedacht. Economische Statistische Berichten (ESB), 105(4786), 268–271.

Noten

Elsewhere in this publication, for example in Chapters 4 and 5, it is indicated that re-exports account for slightly less than half of goods exports. The figures presented in this chapter are based on figures of the National Accounts. In Chapters 4 and 5, figures from the International Trade in Goods source statistics are used. The source statistics use different concepts from those of the National Accounts. For example, source statistics are based on cross-border trade in goods, while economic ownership is leading for the National Accounts. Integration into the National Accounts results in additional differences. In consequence, the figures in this chapter cannot be compared directly with those in Chapters 4 and 5. For more information on these differences, see ‘CBS import and export statistics’ (CBS, 2015a).

This classification is based on the BEC classification (Broad Economic Categories). This classification categorises goods according to the nature of final demand or the end use of these goods, as laid down in the National Accounts system.

These figures are based on the latest revision of the National Accounts. In consequence, the series described here for the years 2015-2018 is not directly comparable with the figures in Chapter 6 of Dutch Trade in Facts and Figures, 2019. These figures are estimates and not exact measurements. As the National Accounts use different demarcations, methods, concepts and definitions from the International Trade in Goods statistics, these figures do not correspond to those in Chapter 5.

The goods have been on Dutch territory and have also come into the possession of a Dutch resident.

A full overview is provided in the set of tables that is available on the home page of this publication.

A full overview is provided in the set of tables that is available on the home page of this publication.

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Contributors

Authors

Nieke Aerts

Marcel van den Berg

Sarah Creemers

Hans Draper

Loe Franssen

Marjolijn Jaarsma

Alex Lammertsma

Tom Notten

Tim Peeters

Leen Prenen

Janneke Rooyakkers

Khee Fung Wong

Editorial team

Sarah Creemers

Marjolijn Jaarsma

Alex Lammertsma

Editors in chief

Marjolijn Jaarsma

Alex Lammertsma

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following colleagues for their constructive contributions to this edition of Dutch Trade in Facts and Figures:

Deirdre Bosch

Linda Bruls

Elijah Cats

Richard Jollie

Bart Loog

Pascal Ramaekers

Carla Sebo-Ros

Roos Smit

Sandra Vasconcellos

Gabriëlle de Vet

Roger Voncken

Hans Westerbeek

Hendrik Zuidhoek

We would also like to thank the following members of staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their feedback on a forerunner of Dutch Trade in Facts and Figures:

Tom Beerling

Laurens den Hartog

Harry Oldersma