EU: agri-food trade remains strong despite rising prices

EU agri-food exports reached 19.1 billion euros in June, a 4% drop from May but still 2% higher than June 2024. In the first half of 2025, exports totaled 118.7 billion euros, representing a 2.6 billion euros (+2%) increase from the same period in 2024. Cereal exports decreased by 1.5 billion euros in the first half of the year (-22%), due to a 27% drop in volumes. The United Kingdom was the main destination, with 27.6 billion euros (+1.2 billion euros, +5%), driven by high cocoa and chocolate prices. Next came the United States and Switzerland. In contrast, exports to China decreased by 670 million euros (-10%) due to lower demand for cereals, while exports to Thailand decreased by 242 million euros, partly for the same reason. EU agri-food imports amounted to 15.3 billion euros in June, a 10% drop from May but 15% higher than June last year. Between January and June, imports reached 96.8 billion euros, an increase of 13.5 billion euros (+16%) from the same period last year. High ...