The Dutch have traditionally been a powerful force in international trade. In recent years, the Netherlands has increased its trade in industrial products and decreased trade in food products and foodstuffs. Principal Dutch exports today are manufactured goods, machines, chemicals, petroleum products, natural gas, and foods. Chief imports are manufactured products, machines, crude petroleum, and chemicals. From 1981 through 2000, the Netherlands experienced trade surpluses each year.

The major export commodities of the Netherlands include machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, vegetables, and vegetable products.