With the ports of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the Netherlands plays a special role in the EU's soy import. In 2008 our country was responsible for 27% of EU imports of soybeans (3.9 million tonnes) and 22% of EU imports of soy meal (5 million tonnes).

The role of the Netherlands in the global soy consumption is relatively small. In 2008, the Netherlands imported:

• 1.7% of the global production of soybeans
• 3.2% of the global production of soy meal
• 0.6% of the soy oil

Of the total EU consumption the Netherlands accounts for:

• 9% of the soybeans and soy meal
• 11% of the soy oil