A strong signal from the factory floor
The latest Nevi Purchasing Managers’ Index for Dutch industry came in at 53.8 in August 2026, down slightly from 54.4 in July. While a decline might sound negative, the important point is that any figure above 50 still indicates growth. At 53.8, Dutch industry is clearly still expanding.
Factories are producing more, purchasing more raw materials and, importantly, shipping more goods abroad than they were a year ago.
What really stands out is what is happening behind the headline figure. Around 350 purchasing managers took part in the survey, and their responses show that new export orders are increasing at the fastest rate in more than four years. That is a strong signal that international demand is picking up.
What is driving the increase in exports?
Several factors are coming together. Demand from the United States, Australia and African countries has increased, while developments in the Middle East are adding another layer to the picture.
The renewed de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz is disrupting the flow of oil, oil products and chemicals from the region. For industrial buyers, uncertainty around a critical supply route often leads to one familiar response: stockpiling.
Companies are ordering components and materials earlier than they normally would, not only to meet current production needs but also to build a buffer against possible further disruption.
Combined with higher production volumes, this is helping to push export orders and order books higher.
Prices are still climbing, just not as quickly
The cost pressure has not disappeared. Purchase and sales prices in Dutch industry are still rising, although the pace has eased to its slowest level since the war with Iran began at the end of February 2026.
Oil is not the only factor affecting costs. Transport has also become more expensive, driven by disruption in container shipping, higher fuel prices and the Dutch truck levy introduced in July 2026.
For businesses moving freight in or out of the Netherlands, these changes can have a direct impact on the cost of getting goods from A to B.
Want to understand what these changes could mean for your supply chain? Please get in touch with the Trasegro team.
Which sectors are growing, and which are still under pressure?
According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), two sectors are currently driving much of the growth in industrial output.
The machinery industry is benefiting from strong demand for chip-manufacturing equipment, fuelled in part by the ongoing AI boom. The petroleum industry has also been expanding sharply since April 2026, linked to disruptions in oil supply from the Middle East.
But the picture is not the same across the entire industrial sector.
The chemical industry is producing less than it did a year ago. Building materials are seeing modest growth, supported by a recovering construction sector. Metal products and electrical engineering, meanwhile, remain under pressure and have yet to fully turn the corner.
For logistics providers, this matters. Different industries are facing different levels of demand, cost pressure and supply chain uncertainty, which means there is no one-size-fits-all approach to moving goods efficiently.
Germany’s confidence matters too
The Netherlands does not export in isolation. Germany remains its most important trading partner by far, so developments in the German economy are worth watching closely.
Business confidence in Germany is improving, partly driven by demand for chip-manufacturing machinery and increased demand for defence equipment.
When German industry becomes more confident, Dutch exporters can benefit too. For companies operating across both markets, this could create additional opportunities in the months ahead.
What does this mean if you move goods internationally?
Overall, the outlook for Dutch industry is encouraging. Export demand is rising, production is growing and international order books are strengthening.
At the same time, businesses are dealing with higher transport costs and continued geopolitical uncertainty. In other words, there are opportunities to capture, but getting goods where they need to go is not necessarily becoming easier.
For companies moving goods internationally, that means staying flexible is more important than ever.
Whether you are dealing with rerouted shipments because of the Strait of Hormuz situation, higher freight costs following the introduction of the Dutch truck levy, or simply a sudden increase in export volumes, the right logistics approach can make a real difference.
Trasegro: Anything except standard. Logistics solutions for complex requirements.
With a strong focus on personal service and professionalism, Trasegro supports clients in navigating complex logistics challenges with flexible, reliable solutions.
What sets Trasegro apart is not just what we do but how we do it. We listen, communicate and act in partnership, responding quickly when it matters most. No one-size-fits-all approach, but tailored solutions that fit your reality.
