EU: Trade agreements have a good effect on European farmers

The European Commission has released a report outlining the potential impact of existing and upcoming trade agreements on European agriculture and horticulture exports over the next decade. The report evaluates 12 existing agreements with countries like Canada, Mexico, and Japan, and seven under negotiation, including Malaysia and Thailand. The conservative scenario predicts a slight increase in exports, while the ambitious one sees a significant boost, with exports exceeding imports in all scenarios, except for Mercosur. The most significant increases are expected in Japan and Mercosur, with dairy, pork, processed food and drinks being the most promising sectors. The report also addresses concerns such as food safety, sustainable production, and market protection. It highlights a decrease in beef and veal consumption in Europe but anticipates an increase in exports, especially in sugar where consumption is projected to decline but exports are expected to rise. Overall, the trade in agri-food products in the EU reached 226.3 billion euros in the first nine months of 2020, showing a 1% increase from the previous year.