What Does the Netherlands Export to Canada?

The Netherlands is a **top-10 trading partner** for Canada. In 2023, Dutch exports to Canada totaled **~CAD 6.5B**. Key categories:

Major Export Categories (by value)

1. Machinery & Equipment: Industrial machinery, semiconductor manufacturing equipment (ASML), telecommunications, office machines, electrical apparatus.
2. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals: Medicaments, vaccines, organic chemicals, fertilizers, plastics, essential oils. **Strong pharma cluster (Leiden, Amsterdam).**
3. Agri-Food & Beverages: **Cut flowers & bulbs (world leader)**, vegetables (tomatoes, peppers), fruit, dairy, cheese, chocolate, beer, processed foods.
4. Transport Equipment: **Vehicles (DAF trucks, VDL buses), parts, yachts, aerospace components.**
5. Mineral Fuels & Oils: Refined petroleum products, natural gas (re-export), coal (transshipment via Rotterdam).
6. Precision Instruments: Medical, optical, measuring, scientific (Philips Healthcare legacy).
7. Plastics & Rubber: Primary forms, finished goods.

Why This Mix?

• **Rotterdam Port:** Europe's largest — gateway for Dutch & German goods to North America.
• **Agri-Tech:** Dutch greenhouse/horticulture tech feeds Canadian market.
• **Innovation:** High-R&D sectors (pharma, semiconductors, water tech, agrifood).
• **CETA (EU-Canada Trade Agreement):** 98% tariff-free since 2017 — boosted trade.

Notable Brands in Canada

Philips, ASML, Heineken, Royal FloraHolland (flowers), DAF, Unilever (Anglo-Dutch), DSM, AkzoNobel, TomTom, Booking.com.