NETHERLANDS REMAINS VIETNAM’S LARGEST TRADE SURPLUS MARKET IN EUROPE IN 2025

A worker processes tra fish for export at a local facility in the Mekong Delta – PHOTO: TRUNG CHANH

HCMC – The Netherlands remained Vietnam’s largest trade surplus market in Europe in 2025, with Vietnam posting a surplus of US$12.7 billion, while also retaining its status as Vietnam’s biggest trading partner in the European Union for the second consecutive year.

Total bilateral trade between Vietnam and the Netherlands amounted to US$14.3 billion in 2025, up 3.8% from 2024, reported the Vietnam News Agency, citing data from the Vietnam Trade Office in the Netherlands. The Netherlands ranked first among Vietnam’s trading partners within the 27-member EU.

Data from Vietnam Customs showed that agricultural, forestry, and seafood exports recorded notable increases. Cashew nut exports totaled US$495 million, up 22.3% year-on-year. Coffee exports rose 57.9% to US$373 million. Seafood exports totaled US$215 million, up 8.7%, while fruit and vegetable exports climbed 41.3% to US$158 million.

Exports of industrial goods also increased. Footwear exports rose 9.3%, garments grew 11.7%, and textiles and materials for garments and leather products increased 2.6%.

Vietnam’s imports from the Netherlands reached US$825 million in 2025, up 5.2% from the previous year. Machinery, equipment, and spare parts accounted for 24.5% of total imports, rising 22.5% year-on-year, customs data showed.

Other major import categories that continued to grow included food preparations, animal feed and raw materials, pharmaceuticals, and milk and dairy products.

Investment ties also remained strong. The Netherlands was the largest EU investor in Vietnam, with cumulative registered capital reaching US$14.94 billion by the end of 2025. Dutch investors had 466 active projects, ranking the country ninth among 154 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

Dutch investments in Vietnam span sectors including energy, processing and manufacturing, semiconductors, trade, services, logistics, and warehousing.

Vietnam had 12 active investment projects in the Netherlands, with total registered capital of US$107.2 million, down 13.9% from the same period in 2024. The Netherlands ranked 22nd among 85 countries and territories receiving Vietnamese outward investment.

Vietnamese projects in the Netherlands focus on construction, trade, food services, software production, the import and distribution of telecommunications and electronic equipment, automobiles and components, and capital contributions to oil and gas projects.

Source: The Saigon Times