By Export Trade Insights Pakistan–Netherlands Trade Guide 2024–2025
Why the Netherlands Is a Great Place to Export to for Pakistani Businesses
If you are a business owner from Pakistan a Pakistani living in the Netherlands or someone who wants to start exporting from Pakistan then you should really consider the Netherlands market. It is an opportunity.
The Netherlands is one of Pakistans trade partners in Europe. In 2023–2024 Pakistan sold around $1.48 billion worth of products to the Netherlands. That is a lot of money.. It is increasing every year.
In this guide we will help you:
- Find out which Pakistani products are in demand in the Netherlands
- Identify products with good profit margins
- Discover products that’re easy to export even for new exporters
- Learn how to find buyers and set export prices
So whether you have experience, in exporting or are just starting out this guide will give you a plan to start or grow your export business to the Netherlands.
Overview: What Pakistan Sells to the Netherlands
Before we look at the things that Pakistan sells to the Netherlands lets see what kinds of things Pakistan exports the most to the Netherlands.
- Textiles and clothes are the biggest thing that Pakistan exports to the Netherlands
- Rice is another big thing, especially the special kind called Basmati
- Things made from leather are also very popular and people want to buy more of them
- Pakistan also exports cotton fabric and yarn which are used to make other things
- Himalayan Pink Salt is something that Pakistan is famous for all around the world
- Sesame Seeds are used in the food industry and people in the Netherlands want to buy them
- Surgical tools made in Sialkot are very good and people all around the world want to buy them
- Pakistan also exports many kinds of food like spices and dates and pickles and frozen foods
- There are many other things that Pakistan exports too like decorative things made from wood and clay pots and plastic packaging
Now lets take a closer look at each of these Pakistani export categories, to the Netherlands.
1.. Apparel. Pakistans Top Export to the Netherlands
So why textiles?
Well textile and apparel is Pakistans export to the Netherlands. In fact textile exports to the Netherlands are worth over $900 million each year. People always want these products. They help Pakistans economy a lot.
What Textile Products Are Exported?
The following textile products are commonly exported from Pakistan to the Netherlands:
Home Textiles:
- Bedsheets and bed covers
- Pillow covers and pillowcases
- Blankets and quilts
- Towels like bath, hand and kitchen towels
- Kitchen linen and cloths
Ready-Made Garments & Apparel:
- Cotton trousers and pants
- Denim jeans
- Undergarments and innerwear
- Hosiery items
- garments and knitwear
- Ready-made stitched clothing of all kinds
Why Should You Export Textiles?
- You do not need to invest a lot of money. You can start with orders.
- You do not need certifications like you do with food or medical products.
- People always want to buy textiles so you have a demand throughout the year.
- It is easy to get textiles from Pakistans textile hubs in Faisalabad, Karachi and Lahore.
- This is an option if you are new to exporting.
Textiles and apparel are the products for beginners to export from Pakistan to the Netherlands. If you are new, to exporting and do not know where to start textiles and apparel are a place to begin.
2. Rice Pakistans Premium Basmati in High Demand in the Netherlands
Why do people like Rice much. The thing is Rice is the most exported thing from Pakistan to the Netherlands. So in 2023-2024 Pakistan sent around 40 to 50 million dollars of Rice to the Netherlands. People in the Netherlands really like the smell and the quality of Pakistani Basmati Rice.
Which types of Rice are exported to the Netherlands. There are two types of Rice that get sent from Pakistan to the Netherlands.
- 1121 Basmati Sella Rice which is also called Parboiled Rice. This is the popular type and it makes up around 99 percent of all the Rice that gets exported. The reason people like it is because it is grain and fluffy which is what people in Europe like in their kitchens.
- Organic Super Basmati Brown Rice which is also known as 1121 Brown Rice. There are people in the Netherlands who want to eat healthy. They like this type of Rice. So Pakistani Organic Super Basmati Brown Rice is getting very popular with these people.
Things to think about before exporting Rice.
- You need to have a lot of Rice to export it which’s usually a big container that is 20 feet long.
- This means you need to have a lot of money to start which is more, than what you need to export clothes or leather.
- You need to know about the types of Rice and which ones are good quality so that people do not cheat you.
- It is not an idea to export Rice if you are just starting out and do not have a lot of money. If you can do it then you can make a lot of money from exporting Rice.
3. Leather Goods. They Have High Profit Margins and People Want More of Them
Why Do People Like Leather Goods So Much?
I think leather goods are something that many people who export things really like. This is because you can make a lot of money from them. People in countries think that leather products from Pakistan are very well made and good quality. Every year more and more people in the Netherlands want to buy them.
What Kind of Leather Products Do We Export?
We send a lot of leather goods to the Netherlands. Here are some examples:
Equestrian & Saddlery Products:
- Horse saddles and the things you need to ride a horse
- Leather straps that go on a horses head
- sets of equipment for people who like to ride horses
Fashion & Accessories:
- Wallets made of leather
- Belts made of leather
- Handbags and bags that are made from leather and cotton
- Backpacks made of leather
- Jackets and suits made of leather
- Shoes for ladies, men and kids
Home & Décor:
- Covers for pillows that are made of leather
- Office chairs made of leather
- Cushions for seats that are made of leather
Sports & Fitness:
- Gloves for boxing
- Gloves for mixed martial arts
- Things you use at the gym that are made of leather
Industrial & Utility:
- Gloves for welding that are made of leather
- Caps for welding that are made of leather
- Aprons made of leather for the kitchen and for work
- Stickers and patches made of leather
Pet Accessories:
- Collars and leashes for dogs that are made of leather
Why Leather Goods Are Great to Export
- Leather goods can make you more money than other things like clothes or food
- You do not need a lot of special papers to export them
- It is easy to find people who want to buy them on websites like Alibaba, Made-in-China and at trade fairs, in Europe
- You can start exporting leather goods without spending a lot of money
- There are many different kinds of leather goods so you can sell to many different kinds of buyers who want to buy leather goods.
4. Cotton Fabric & Yarn. Raw Material for Dutch Textile Mills
Why do people like Cotton Fabric & Yarn much. The thing is Pakistan is a producer of Cotton Fabric & Yarn The Netherlands buys a lot of Cotton Fabric & Yarn from other countries to use in their own textile mills.
What kind of things do we export to them.
- We export Woven Cotton Fabric that people use to make clothes
- We also export Cotton Yarn which’s a raw material that Dutch and European textile mills use
- We export Cotton Thread that people use for sewing and making pretty designs on clothes
This is a great opportunity for people who export things in bulk to businesses. They can make term deals with buyers in the Netherlands who make textiles. Cotton Fabric & Yarn are really important, for these buyers.
5. Sesame Seeds. A Growing Food Export
Sesame seeds are in demand in European food industries. Many bakeries, confectioneries and health food brands want them. Pakistan exports a lot of sesame seeds.
Two Main Types Exported to the Netherlands:
- Natural Sesame Seeds (with husk). These are sesame seeds just as they are.
- Hulled Sesame Seeds (without husk). These are seeds with the outer husk removed. People in the food industry like them for processing and baking.
Both types of sesame seeds have buyers, in the Netherlands. They are used in food manufacturing and health food sectors.
6. Himalayan Pink Salt. Pakistans Special Gift to the World
Himalayan Pink Salt is probably the most special thing that Pakistan sells to other countries. This salt is only found in Pakistan, which means that people from Pakistan are the ones who can sell it to the rest of the world. More and more people in the Netherlands and all of Europe are starting to want Himalayan Pink Salt.
What Kind of Things Are Made from Himalayan Pink Salt?
Himalayan Pink Salt is very useful. That is what makes it so interesting. Here are some things that people make with it:
Culinary Uses:
- People use it as salt when they cook
- They also make plates out of Himalayan Pink Salt that they use for grilling and serving food
Wellness and Spa Things:
- They make special lamps out of Himalayan Pink Salt that people in Europe really like
- They also make stones out of Himalayan Pink Salt that they use for massages and other body treatments
- And they make holders for candles out of Himalayan Pink Salt
- They even make balls and spheres out of Himalayan Pink Salt that they use as lamps
- Some people also make soap out of Himalayan Pink Salt
Things for Animals:
- They make special blocks of salt that they hang up for animals to lick
Things for Building and Decorating:
- They make special tiles out of Himalayan Pink Salt that they use in rooms where people go to relax
Why Should You Sell Himalayan Pink Salt?
- It is easy to get Himalayan Pink Salt directly from the mines, in Khewra, Punjab
- It is not hard to sell Himalayan Pink Salt to other countries. You do not need a lot of special papers
- A lot of people want to buy Himalayan Pink Salt. Like spas and stores that sell healthy food in the Netherlands
- It is easy to start selling Himalayan Pink Salt. You can start with a small amount and then sell more later
- Himalayan Pink Salt is a very special product. It only comes from Pakistan
7. Surgical Instruments Sialkots Top-Notch Skills
Sialkot, a city in Pakistan is famous worldwide for making quality surgical and medical tools. These tools are sent to countries, including the Netherlands.
Key Details:
- A huge range of tools are exported, like scissors, forceps, scalpels and clamps.
- These tools can make a lot of money because they are very valuable.
- To sell them in Europe like in the Netherlands they need special certifications like CE and ISO.
- This is not a product for beginners. You need to know about certifications, rules and have buyers who trust you.
If you know a lot, about equipment and can get the right certifications this is one of the best things to export for profit.
8. Other Products Being Exported from Pakistan to the Netherlands
Pakistan is sending other things to the Netherlands besides the main things we talked about. These things are not sent in amounts but people are starting to want them more and more.
Food Products:
- onions and onions that are fried until they are crispy
- Dates that are grown naturally and dates that are grown with help
- Fresh fruits
- Guar Gum
- Shilajit which’s a supplement that people take to stay healthy
- Mixed spices and special mixes of spices
- Rice syrups
- Pickles. People from Pakistan who live in other countries really like mixed pickles
- Sauces and special kinds of chutneys
- Mixes to make Kheer and Kheer Khorma
- Gulab Jamun mix which is a dessert that people like
- Sweets like candies and toffees and cotton candy
- Products made from dairy cream
- Roasted vermicelli which is also called Seviyan
- Samosas that are frozen
- Vegetables that are frozen
- Pastries that are frozen
Other Products:
- Plastic bags and things used to pack things
- Patches made of plastic
- Pots made of clay and coolers made of clay and other things made of clay
- Things made of wood that are decorative and handicrafts made by people, in Pakistan
Easiest Products to Export for Beginners
If you are new to exporting and you want something that’s not too risky does not need a lot of certificates and is easy to sell here are the best products to start with.
1. Textiles and Apparel
You do not need to spend a lot of money to get started with Textiles and Apparel. You can start with orders. You also do not need to fill out a lot of forms. There are people all over the world who want to buy Textiles and Apparel.
2. Leather Products
You can start a business with Leather Products. It is easy to find people who want to buy Leather Products on the internet. You also do not need a lot of certificates to sell Leather Products. You can make a lot of money selling Leather Products.
3. Himalayan Pink Salt
It is very easy to get Pink Salt from the mines in Pakistan. You do not need to fill out a lot of forms to export Pink Salt. There are people in the health and wellness business who want to buy Himalayan Pink Salt. You can start small, with Pink Salt and then sell more later.
4. Rice
If you have some money to invest you can export Rice. You need to buy a container of Rice to get started. But there are always people who want to buy Rice so you can sell it easily. If you know what you are doing you can make a lot of money selling Rice. You just need to know about the types of Rice.
How to Find Buyers for Pakistani Products in the Netherlands
Finding buyers for products in the Netherlands can be tough especially for new exporters. Here are some strategies that work:
Online Platforms
You can use B2B platforms to connect with buyers. Some popular ones are:
- Alibaba.com
- Made-in-China.com
- TradeKey.com
- ExportHub.com
- Global Sources
Trade Fairs in Europe
Attend trade fairs in the Netherlands and Europe to meet buyers in person. These events happen in sectors like:
- Textile fairs
- Food expos
- Wellness expos
Direct Outreach
Try reaching out to Dutch importers and wholesalers directly. You can:
- Use LinkedIn to connect with them
- Send targeted emails to buyers in your product category
Get Help from Pakistan Trade Development Council (TDAP)
The Pakistan Trade Development Council (TDAP) can help you find buyers. They offer:
- Buyer matching services
- Trade missions to help you connect with buyers in the Netherlands. You can contact TDAP to get leads, to the Netherlands.
How to Calculate Export Prices
Pricing your exports right is key to making a profit. When figuring out your export price think about:
- Product cost, which’s how much it costs to make or buy your product.
- Packaging cost, which is the cost of export packaging.
- Inland freight, which is the cost to move goods from your factory or supplier to the port.
- Export documentation charges, like customs and certificates.
- Shipping cost, which depends on sending goods from Pakistan to Netherlands by sea.
- Insurance to protect your goods during shipping.
- Profit margin, between 15 to 30 percent depending on what you’re selling.
- Banking and payment processing fees.
- Customs duties that apply when your goods arrive at their destination.
Using Incoterms like FOB, CIF or DDP helps make your price quotes clear and standard, for buyers.
Pakistan and Netherlands Trade: The Time Is Right
The trade between Pakistan and Netherlands is getting stronger. New chances to sell things to Netherlands are coming up because people who buy things in Netherlands want to find sellers from Pakistan who they can trust. The things we talk about in this guide are all things that people want to buy more and since Netherlands has a big port that is used by the whole of Europe people who sell things from Pakistan can sell to the whole European market.
Whether you make clothes, food, leather things, pink salt or anything else Netherlands is a place to sell your things and make money.
To sum it all up the best things for Pakistan to sell to Netherlands from 2024 to 2025 are:
- Textiles and clothes. A lot of people buy these easy to start selling and we sell a lot of them
- Rice, like the kind called 1121 Basmati Sella and Organic Brown. People want to buy a lot of this and we can make money from it
- Leather things. We can make a lot of money from these and there are many different kinds we can sell
- Pink salt. This is something that only Pakistan can sell and it is easy to send to other countries
- Sesame seeds. People in the food business want to buy these
- Things used for surgery. These are worth a lot of money. We need special papers to sell them
- Cotton fabric and yarn. We sell these to other businesses
- Food. Like dates, spices, pickles and frozen foods that people from Pakistan and Netherlands like to eat
The market is ready for Pakistan and Netherlands trade. People want to buy more and more. Things made in Pakistan are as good as things made in countries and they cost the same. All you need to know is what to sell, who to sell it to and how to sell it.
Start with things keep doing it and then sell more and more. Netherlands wants to buy things from Pakistan.
Do you have a question about something or want to know more about how to find things to sell fill out papers or set prices? Ask us in the comments section we will answer all your questions.
Tags: Pakistan and Netherlands trade, Pakistan exports to Netherlands how to export from Pakistan selling Basmati rice, Pakistan leather goods Himalayan pink salt export, Pakistan textile export how to export from Pakistan, Pakistan and EU trade, export products, from Pakistan 2024
