The value of Dutch agricultural exports rose by more than 8% in 2025 to €137.5 billion, driven largely by higher prices and a sharp increase in cocoa re-exports, according to new figures from national statistics agency CBS.

Price rises accounted for more than two-thirds of the growth and the remainder came from higher export volumes, the CBS said on Friday.

The Dutch economy earned an estimated €49 billion from agricultural exports last year. Of that total, €43.5 billion came from goods produced in the Netherlands and the rest from the re-export of agricultural products made elsewhere. Re-exports accounted for 35% of the total export value.

Dairy products and eggs remained the largest export category, with a value of €13.3 billion, up 10% on the previous year. Meat exports also rose by 10% to €12.1 billion. Horticultural products, including bulbs, cut flowers and plants, increased by 4% to €12.3 billion.

The strongest growth was recorded in cocoa and cocoa products, such as butter, paste, powder and chocolate. Export values jumped by 35% to €12.4 billion, making cocoa the second-largest agricultural export product.

Researchers say the surge is due to sharply higher cocoa prices following several years of poor harvests in West Africa.

Germany remained the main destination for Dutch agricultural exports, accounting for 25% of the total and rising by 10% in value in 2025. Sales to Belgium and France rose by 7%, while exports to Poland recorded the fastest growth among the top ten destinations, up 24%.

Growth outside the EU was more modest. Export values to China increased less strongly than in previous years, partly due to lower pork exports, although sales of baby milk powder rose slightly.

Exports to Britain also grew more slowly at just 3%, which researchers linked to the continued impact of Brexit while sales to the US were virtually unchanged.