Value of the import and export of Gouda cheese in the Netherlands 2008-2021
The Netherlands and cheese go hand in hand. Edammer, Maasdammer, Leerdammer and Oud Amsterdam are all well-known abroad, but the most famous Dutch cheese is without doubt Gouda. Named after the town Gouda in the province Zuid-Holland where it was predominantly traded for centuries, Gouda cheese and Dutch cheese have almost become synonyms nowadays.
Export value of Gouda cheese reaches nearly 1.3 billion euros
Between 2008 and 2021, the export value of Gouda far exceeded the import. According to the most recent figures, the export of Gouda from the Netherlands was valued at over 1.26 billion euros – the second-highest value in the period surveyed. By comparison, the value of Edam cheese exported from the Netherlands in this period was 319 million euros.
Germany leading destination for Dutch cheese
Just under 40 percent of all Dutch cheese exports was destined for the neighboring countries Germany and Belgium. Nearly one-third of the cheese exported from the Netherlands was exported to Germany, and another 11 percent to Belgium. Dutch cheese was mainly popular in other European countries, but further afield the Japanese (three percent of all exports) and the South Koreans (two percent) were also clearly Dutch cheese enthusiasts. In total, nearly 300 million kilos of cheese were exported to Germany in 2021. Exports to Japan amounted to roughly one-tenth of that figure, at 31.9 million kilos.
Export value of Gouda cheese reaches nearly 1.3 billion euros
Between 2008 and 2021, the export value of Gouda far exceeded the import. According to the most recent figures, the export of Gouda from the Netherlands was valued at over 1.26 billion euros – the second-highest value in the period surveyed. By comparison, the value of Edam cheese exported from the Netherlands in this period was 319 million euros.
Germany leading destination for Dutch cheese
Just under 40 percent of all Dutch cheese exports was destined for the neighboring countries Germany and Belgium. Nearly one-third of the cheese exported from the Netherlands was exported to Germany, and another 11 percent to Belgium. Dutch cheese was mainly popular in other European countries, but further afield the Japanese (three percent of all exports) and the South Koreans (two percent) were also clearly Dutch cheese enthusiasts. In total, nearly 300 million kilos of cheese were exported to Germany in 2021. Exports to Japan amounted to roughly one-tenth of that figure, at 31.9 million kilos.
