Apple market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The Dutch fresh apple market volume showed considerable movement from 2018 to 2023, starting at 312 thousand tons and peaking at 331 thousand tons in 2021 before declining to 223 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, reaching $404 million in 2021 after a dip in the prior years and then falling to $280 million by 2023.

Production and trade flows adjusted throughout the period, with imports and exports both trending downward from their earlier levels. The market contraction in 2020 was followed by a sharp recovery the next year, though no specific local drivers were highlighted for these shifts.

Global trends such as increasing consumer awareness of health and sustainability, along with a shift toward organic and premium apple varieties, have been influencing market dynamics in recent years, particularly evident by 2024 as these factors continue to evolve alongside supply chain cost pressures.

Production apple in the Netherlands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

Apple production in the Netherlands declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 220.0 K t of apples, marking a significant decrease of 19.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 273.0 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 18.5% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports apple from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the Netherlands exported 194.3 K t of apples, showing a solid year-over-year increase of 19.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 7.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 163.1 K t, with the largest decline of 15.0% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom were the leading destinations for apple exports from the Netherlands in terms of volume. Germany accounted for 45.5% of exports, Belgium for 16.6%, and the United Kingdom for 6.4%. Together, these three countries represented 68.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of apple exports from the Netherlands reached 250.3 M $ US, up by 35.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 27.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 185.1 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 290.3 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 36.2% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 48.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Belgium, and France were the largest buyers of Dutch apples in value terms. Germany accounted for 46.7% of export value, Belgium for 16.3%, and France for 7.0%. Collectively, these three countries formed 70.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020

Imports apple to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, the Netherlands imported 224.7 K t of apples, representing a significant increase of 15.1% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 11.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 195.2 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 234.5 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 16.8% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 16.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands sourced apples from a wide range of countries for imports in kind. Belgium accounted for 19.0% of imports, Chile for 15.4%, and France for 14.3%. Together, these three countries represented 48.8% of total import flows, with the remaining 51.2% coming from numerous other nations.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of apple imports into the Netherlands totaled 234.2 M $ US, which is 16.9% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 7.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 200.3 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 287.8 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 30.4% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 32.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands imported apples from many countries, with even the top destinations—Chile, France, and Belgium—together accounting for only 47.7% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020