Steady increase in EU agri-food trade in the first eight months of 2021

The European Union's agri-food trade surpassed EUR 210.5 billion in the January-August period of 2021, marking a 5.1% increase compared to the previous year. This growth is largely due to a 7% rise in exports, reaching EUR 127.5 billion, and a 2.3% increase in imports, amounting to EUR 85 billion. The surplus for the first eight months of the year was EUR 44 billion, up by 17% year-on-year.

There was a notable growth in exports to the United States and China, with wine, spirits, and liqueurs being the primary contributors to the increased trade with the United States. However, exports to the UK remained stable, despite a significant rebound in recent months. On the other hand, exports to Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Kuwait experienced a decline.

Imports from the UK and the United States saw a significant decrease, along with imports from Moldova, Vietnam, and Chile. The value of imports increased for products such as cake, soybeans, fatty acids, palm oil, and kernels, while there was a decrease in imports of tropical fruits, nuts, spices, fruit juices, citrus fruits, and raw tobacco.

The exports of wine and spirits experienced the most significant increase, followed by rapeseed and sunflower oils, chocolate, and confectionery products. However, there was a decrease in the exports of wheat, baby food, vegetables, butter, and tropical fruits.