Increase in overseas fruit shipments in refrigerated containers, especially bananas and avocados

In 2025, almost 25 percent more goods will arrive in the Netherlands by sea in refrigerated containers than in 2015. Fruit and vegetables in particular are arriving more frequently, while less meat and fish are being delivered. This is according to Statistics Netherlands (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, CBS).

In 2025, 11.1 million tonnes of chilled and frozen products were transported in refrigerated containers. That is 25 percent more than ten years ago. This accounts for almost 15 percent of all cargo transported in sea containers.

More goods were also imported using other types of containers. More than half of the contents of these refrigerated containers consists of fruit. In 2025, 45 percent more fruit arrived than in 2015.

The total amounted to 6.2 million tonnes. More than twice as many vegetables arrived as ten years ago. Dairy products and other food products also arrived more frequently.

However, less meat arrived—1.1 million tonnes, a 19 percent decrease—and less fish as well—also 1.1 million tonnes, a 14 percent decrease. Non-food products such as medicines and electronic goods also arrived slightly less frequently. Some products also arrive in bulk in the Netherlands, meaning large quantities transported loose in the ship.

These are mainly fruit (0.7 million tonnes) and frozen fish (0.2 million tonnes). Meat and vegetables are almost never transported in bulk. Bananas and avocados in particular were imported in much larger quantities.

In 2025, more than twice as many bananas arrived as in 2015. Bananas now account for one-fifth of all fruit in refrigerated containers. Bananas were also transported in refrigerated ships.

Grapes rank second, while oranges are now in third place. Avocados saw the largest increase: three times as many as ten years ago. Most refrigerated containers come from South Africa, Brazil and China.

One-third of all goods in 2025 came from these countries. South Africa supplied the most cargo, particularly oranges and grapes. Brazil supplies a large amount of meat and melon, but less than it did ten years ago.

China now supplies more fish and vegetables, while Panama supplies more bananas and fish. Egypt and Ecuador are also exporting more to the Netherlands, particularly vegetables, oranges, bananas and avocados.