The value of Dutch agricultural exports fell in the first four months of this year, the first time exports have gone down since 1996, the national statistics office CBS said on Tuesday.

Compared with the year earlier period, exports fell 2.7% in value terms, the CBS said.

The drop is due to the Russian boycott of European products, which have cut Dutch farm produce exports by almost 40%. Dairy, meat and live animal exports have been hardest hit.

Earlier this month, the CBS said total exports from the Netherlands to Russia were down by almost 50% in the first four months of this year.

Russia has now tumbled to 19th place on the list of the biggest Dutch trading partners, down from 12th place a year ago.