Exports from the Netherlands to Russia were down by almost 50% in the first four months of this year, the national statistics office CBS said on Friday.

Total exports between January and April reached €1.26bn, compared with over €2bn in the same period last year. The CBS says the drop is almost entirely due to the sanctions imposed since the downing of flight MH17 a year ago.

Russia has now tumbled to 19th place in the list of the biggest Dutch trading partners, down from 12th place a year ago.

The export of tractors has been hardest hit, followed by cheese, computer parts and computers.