Dutch agricultural exports topped €100bn for the first time in 2021, due to both an increase in volume and prices.

However, over 25% of total exports involved re-exporting crops and products made elsewhere and imported into the Netherlands, largely via Rotterdam port.

In total, Dutch agricultural exports were up 9% at €104.7bn, earning €46bn for the Dutch economy, according to research by national statistics office CBS and Wageningen University.

Most money came from exporting bulbs, flowers and plants – with exports reaching €12bn and earnings €6bn. Flower and plant exports were up some 25% on 2020, due to rising prices.

Exports worth €26bn went to Germany and €12.5bn to Belgium while exports to France and Britain totalled around €8bn each.

Re-exports to Britain were down 35%, because of changes brought by Brexit, the CBS said. The introduction of import duties mean it is now more attractive for Britain to import goods directly from countries outside the EU rather than via the Netherlands.

The export of agricultural products originating in the Netherlands was up 14%, although this may go down now new British border checks have been introduced on animal and vegetable products from 2022, the CBS said.