De zuivelexport van Nederland tot 1813

Dairy farming and dairying increased sharply in the 13th and 14th century with the evolution of towns in the Netherlands. In the 12th and 13th century the Netherlands already had exports of dairy products to western Germany and the southern Low Countries; in the 14th and 15th century also to the Baltic; in the first half of the 16th century also to north Germany, the Rhineland, Brabant and Flanders, northern France, Spain and Portugal. The Netherlands had some imports from England, France, Italy and Scandinavian countries.In the 17th century animal husbandry and dairying flourished but in the 18th century increasing pressure of customs and epidemic outbreaks of rinderpest were a severe setback. Production of dairy products and trade were strictly regulated. During the 18th century dairying techniques were improved. The towns of Holland were the most important places for the export both for home products and for foreign products.In the 'French time' (1795-1813) the government took important measures for the improvement of animal husbandry and dairying. Through the Continental System during the war with Great Britain, trade was restricted. Nevertheless export of dairy products increased and after the 'French time' this export was very important for the Netherlands.