ISN Report
In 2024, the Netherlands exported €8.8 billion worth of meat, solidifying its position as the largest meat exporter in the European Union. Sixty percent of Dutch earnings from meat sales came from exports, with the remaining 40% generated from domestic sales. These findings are based on the latest Internationalisation Monitor published by Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
Following the Netherlands, the other top EU meat exporters in 2024 were Spain, Germany, Poland, and Denmark. The Netherlands continues to be the largest exporter of beef and veal, the second-largest exporter of poultry (behind Poland), and the fourth-largest exporter of pork (after Spain, Germany, and Denmark). Its primary export destinations are Germany (mainly veal and beef), the United Kingdom (primarily poultry), and China (mostly pork).
Of the total €8.8 billion in Dutch meat exports, 85% consisted of domestically produced or processed meat, while 15% accounted for re-exports or transit trade. In terms of weight, the Netherlands exported 3.6 billion kg of meat in 2024, maintaining its long-standing position as a major meat exporter. For comparison, in 2000, the country exported 2.4 billion kg of meat, valued at €5 billion, already ranking as the EU’s top meat exporter at that time.
Largest Meat Exporters in the EU, 2024 (bn euros)
| Country | Beef & Veal | Pork | Poultry | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 8.8 |
| Spain | 0.8 | 5.7 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 8.7 |
| Germany | 1.0 | 4.2 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 7.3 |
| Poland | 1.4 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 4.9 |
| Denmark | 0.3 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 3.6 |
Economic Impact of the Dutch Meat Sector
In 2024, the Dutch meat sector contributed €8.7 billion to the economy, representing 1.1% of the nation’s GDP and 1.3% of employment, equivalent to about 98,000 full-time jobs. Of this, €5.2 billion came from exports, while €3.5 billion was generated from domestic sales. Since 2020, the Netherlands has seen steady growth in its meat-related earnings. In 2024, the share of exports in total meat earnings stood at 60%, continuing its upward trend from 57% in 2020.
Value Added from Meat Sales (bn euros)
| Year | Exports | Domestic Sales | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 |
| 2021 | 4.4 | 3.1 | 7.5 |
| 2022 | 4.7 | 3.3 | 8.0 |
| 2023 | 4.7 | 3.4 | 8.1 |
| 2024 | 5.2 | 3.5 | 8.7 |
Imports Supporting Dutch Meat Exports
The Netherlands’ thriving meat export industry is supported by imports of live animals, meat for processing, and raw materials for animal feed. The largest import category in 2024 was live poultry, valued at €240 million (mainly from Germany), followed by imports of maize and wheat. Maize, predominantly sourced from Ukraine, and wheat from France play a key role as animal feed in the Dutch meat industry. Other essential imports include crude palm oil (from Indonesia and Malaysia) and soybeans (from Brazil and the U.S.).
Top 10 Imports for Meat Exports (2024, million euros)
| Product | EU Imports | Non-EU Imports | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live poultry | 240 | 0 | 240 |
| Maize | 135 | 25 | 160 |
| Wheat and meslin | 120 | 10 | 130 |
| De-boned beef | 100 | 0 | 100 |
| Live calves (<80 kg) | 95 | 0 | 95 |
| Bovine carcasses | 80 | 5 | 85 |
| Crude palm oil | 0 | 80 | 80 |
| Soybeans | 0 | 75 | 75 |
| Wild boar meat | 55 | 0 | 55 |
| Other pork | 50 | 5 | 55 |
In conclusion, the Netherlands remains a powerhouse in meat exports within the EU. With a strong network of import dependencies and a rising global demand for its beef, pork, and poultry, the Dutch meat industry continues to play a critical role in the country’s economy, generating significant revenues and employment opportunities.