Productivity in the Netherlands’ export sector has not increased since 2010, according to research by Rabobank, a development that could affect the country’s competitiveness on the global market, Het Financieele Dagblad reported Monday.

The finding is based on a Rabobank study that concludes the export sector’s productivity has remained flat for more than a decade. Overall, the report highlights stagnation as a central feature of the sector’s performance since 2010.

According to the research, this lack of productivity growth may affect the country’s international competitive position. A prolonged period of unchanged productivity can reportedly put pressure on Dutch companies operating in global markets.

This comes against a broader economic backdrop described in March by economists at ABN AMRO, who said the Dutch economy is still expected to grow, but that earlier optimism has been tempered by higher inflation and weaker household spending.

The economists pointed to rising prices as weighing on household spending and slightly lowered their growth forecasts. At the same time, they noted that strong household finances, savings buffers, and a tight labor market are helping to limit the extent of the slowdown.