Where Are You Missing Out on Export Opportunities?
Dutch entrepreneurs affected by Brexit are leaving up to 40% of their export potential untapped, according to a new report by research agency Ecorys. The good news is that there is plenty of room for businesses to compensate for lost revenue in the United Kingdom (UK) elsewhere. Discover the opportunities available to you through the EU Trade Programme.Since Brexit, exports to the UK have decreased by an average of 20%. Can Dutch businesses recover this lost revenue in other markets?
Commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Ecorys investigated which export markets offer the most promising opportunities. According to the report "Identifying market opportunities for Brexit-affected sectors", there is €38.1 billion in untapped export potential in the G20 (excluding EU countries), and €40.2 billion within the EU. That’s nearly €80 billion in potential opportunities for Dutch exports.
Promising Export Markets
According to the Ecorys report, there is still a world to gain—both within and outside the EU. Several countries and regions stand out as particularly promising for certain sectors:
Germany: Ample growth potential for vegetables, fruit, plants, and flowers
The Dutch arable and horticultural sector already holds a significant market share in Germany (31%). However, due to the market’s total size (€35 billion) and a sharp decline in imports from the UK (down 65%), there is still untapped export potential—particularly for:
Southern Europe: Promising for arable and horticulture
Southern Europe, like Germany, offers plenty of opportunity—especially for Dutch exports of plants and flowers, vegetables, tubers, and food products. There is growing demand for dairy products, grain, milk, flour, starch, potatoes, and animal feed, particularly in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. In Italy, for example, UK imports have dropped significantly (down 47% in arable and horticulture, and 33% in food products), opening the door for Dutch exports.
Eastern Europe: Decline in UK imports creates opportunities
Eastern Europe is an expanding market for Dutch businesses, partly due to the decline in UK imports. Poland in particular shows great potential for the export of dairy, potatoes, and animal feed. While the Dutch market share is still relatively low (11%), the UK’s share has dropped drastically (down 46%). Additionally, there are export opportunities in electronic equipment. In Poland and more centrally located Austria, there are also promising opportunities for the Dutch logistics sector.
Scandinavia: Strong opportunities in Sweden and Denmark
In Scandinavia, the drop in UK imports has also created more space for Dutch businesses. Sweden and Denmark are especially attractive export destinations. Popular sectors here include food products, electronic devices, transport equipment, and ICT. For example, the Swedish market for electronics and machinery is valued at €72 billion and is growing at 3.5% annually.
France: From train components to spacecraft
France is proving to be a promising growth market for the Dutch transport equipment sector, particularly for train and tram components, aircraft and spacecraft, and their parts. There is €557 million in untapped export potential in this sector.
Opportunities Beyond Europe
These are just a few examples of the many opportunities identified in the Ecorys report. There is also significant untapped export potential elsewhere within and outside Europe:
Seize Opportunities via the EU Trade Programme
Has your business also been affected by Brexit? Then explore what opportunities are available to you through the EU Trade Programme, and how you can take advantage of them. This programme offers free support for identifying or expanding into promising international markets. There are no mandatory components—you choose the support you need. This could be a training course, advice on developing your trade strategy, or support for attending a trade fair or mission.
Will You Take the Leap?
A total of €32 million has been made available for the EU Trade Programme from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR)—an EU fund for businesses impacted by Brexit. There is a lot of support available, but the programme is time-limited. Will you seize the opportunity?
Visit www.rvo.nl/eu-handelsprogramma to learn how to participate.