The Dutch economy contracted by 1.4% in the first three months of 2014, as the mild winter reduced demand for Dutch natural gas.

The contraction is the biggest since the second quarter of 2009, the national statistics office CBS said. The Dutch economy grew over the previous three quarters.

The CBS said the underlying trend is still one of growth and recovery. ‘The effect of the gas is so great that it overshadows the underlying growth,’ said chief economist Peter Hein van Mulligen.

Company investment is increasing, industrial recovery continues and more temporary staff are being employed, he pointed out.