While both the Netherlands and Belgium are powerhouses when it comes to exporting beer, frozen potato products, and chocolate, their roles within these categories reveal interesting dynamics.
Beer: The Netherlands holds the crown as the EU’s top beer exporter, followed closely by Belgium. Interestingly, most Dutch beer heads to the United States, while Belgian brews find their biggest market in France and, surprisingly, the Netherlands.
Fries: When it comes to frozen potato products, the tables turn. Belgium takes the lead, exporting a staggering €3.4 billion worth, with the Netherlands trailing at €1.6 billion. Notably, Belgian fries dominate in the UK and France, while Dutch fries are the UK’s top choice.
Chocolate: Neither country takes the top spot for chocolate exports; that honor goes to Germany. However, Belgium comes in second and the Netherlands fourth, highlighting their significant presence in the market. Notably, Belgian chocolate is a favorite in the Netherlands, while Dutch chocolate finds its biggest fan base in Germany.
Belgian fries are booming: Their export value has doubled since 2021, driven by increased production and higher prices. This contrasts with the Netherlands, which has seen a slight decrease in export quantity.
Dutch beer maintains its edge: Although the gap is narrowing, the Netherlands has consistently exported more beer than Belgium since 1988.
Chocolate sees a shift: Belgium surpassed the Netherlands in chocolate exports in 1991 and has held the lead ever since.
The two countries are also deeply intertwined when it comes to imports. Belgium is the Netherlands’ main source of chocolate and beer, and a significant portion of vegetables and root vegetables also come from its southern neighbor.
This intricate relationship between the Netherlands and Belgium showcases how neighboring countries can be both competitors and collaborators in the global food market.
This analysis is part of the Internationalisation Monitor, which this year focuses on Belgium. The report delves deeper into the economic ties between the two nations, exploring areas like innovation, digitization, sustainability, and labor markets.
