Exports from the Netherlands to countries outside the European Union have more than doubled over the past 10 years while EU exports have risen by just 33%, the national statistics office CBS said on Wednesday.

Dutch exports to non-EU countries have now reached almost €18bn, with 20% of the increase down to China and the US, the CBS said.

Nevertheless, the Netherlands main export partners remain Germany, Belgium and Britain. Exports to Germany are up €5.4bn over the past 10 years.

Almost half Dutch exports to European countries are made up of trans-shipments, while Dutch products account for 70% of exports to the US and 75% to China.