World ECR | Dutch exports to risk-averse countries

A December 10 study by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) showed that Dutch exports of EU-sanctioned goods to seven countries identified as high-risk for evading sanctions have increased significantly since 2022, although direct exports to Russia fell by 86 % and University of Groningen.

CBS said that while this form of sanctions evasion is not directly observable in CBS statistics, it can be investigated to which countries exports of sanctioned products increase disproportionately.

The study lists Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Serbia, Türkiye and Turkmenistan as countries exhibiting questionable trade patterns. “For these destinations, Dutch exports of sanctioned goods to Russia increased significantly and strongly. The study noted that exports from these countries to Russia did not decrease and even increased.

The report adds, “In 2022, the value of exports of sanctioned goods to the Eurasian Economic Union+ region (EAEU countries Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as Mongolia and Turkmenistan) was 74% higher than the 2022 average above, more than 90% higher in 2023” during the 2018-2021 period. In the past two years, exports of these products to other parts of the world have increased by approximately 25%.

The study found that young, small and medium-sized independent businesses that had never exported sanctioned goods before have begun shipping to these high-risk countries, often acting as middlemen rather than manufacturers.

The study noted that between 2022 and 2023, Turkey’s exports of machinery to Russia, especially construction equipment such as bulldozers and excavators, will see the largest increase among the countries identified.

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