EU agri-food exports continue to rise by 6% until July

The article reports on the European Union's agri-food trade performance for the January-July 2021 period, revealing a 3.2% increase in total value compared to the previous year, amounting to €183.8 billion. This growth is supported by a 6% rise in exports, which reached €111.4 billion, and a minor 0.2% decline in imports, totaling €72.4 billion. The surplus in global agri-food trade was significant, standing at €39,000 million, marking an 18% increase from the same period in 2020.

The article highlights notable trends in specific markets, such as a 13% increase in exports to the United States and China, driven by products like wine, spirits, and coarse grains. However, there was a 2% decline in exports to the United Kingdom, alongside reduced exports to Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Hong Kong, and Kuwait.

The period also saw a 12% increase in imports from Brazil, alongside growth in imports from Australia, India, Serbia, and Argentina. Conversely, there was a 29% decrease in imports from the United Kingdom, along with significant drops in imports from the United States, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Moldova.

Further insights reveal strong growth in the export values of wine, spirits, rapeseed and sunflower oils, chocolate, and confectionery products, while there was a notable decline in wheat and baby food exports. Import values experienced significant increases in soybeans, oilseed cakes, fatty acids, and waxes, whereas tropical fruits, nuts, spices, unroasted coffee, and tea saw substantial decreases.