Growth in Dutch farm product exports only rose a marginal 0.2% last year, well down on the 6% increase reported in 2017, the national statistics agency CBS said on Friday.

In total, exports reached €90bn. Lower prices and the long, hot summer both played a role in tempering growth, the CBS said.

Despite the slow down ‘there is still growth and we have an impressive position when it comes to farm products,’ agriculture minister Carola Schouten said in a briefing to parliament on the new figures.

Flowers and plants account for 10% of total exports, followed by dairy, eggs, meat, vegetables and fruit. Most of the fruit is re-exports of produce imported in the Netherlands, but 75% of total farm exports is of produce grown and produced in the Netherlands, the report said.

Germany remains the most important export market for Dutch farm produce and accounts for some 25% of the market. Belgium is second with 11% and Britain third with 10%.

Brexit

Earlier this week, the Dutch government has warned farmers and market gardeners to properly prepare for Britain’s departure from the EU so they are not faced with ‘surprises’.

For example, waiting times for border checks may mount up and increased import taxes will also have to be taken into account, the government said.

British food industry experts have also warned that tomatoes are one of the products which could disappear from supermarket shelves in the event of a no deal Brexit. Britain is a major destination for Dutch-grown tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.