Trade: EU agri-food exports continue growing at record pace

The latest monthly agri-food trade report published today shows that a strong increase in exports observed from the beginning of the year continues. According to the latest monthly data available (May 2019), agri-food exports are now doing 13% better than a year ago. The best performing exports include pork meat, spirits and liqueurs, wine and vermouth, and infant food. 

The strong start to the EU agri-food exports in 2019 continued in May with another record figure of EUR 12.8 billion, 13.0% above the level of May 2018. Imports also increased to EUR 10.7 billion – 6% above the level of May 2018. As a result, the monthly agri-food trade surplus stood at EUR 2.1 billion – a 69% increase of the positive trade balance compared to EUR 1.3 billion in May 2018.

Export

The highest increases in monthly export values (May 2019 compared to May 2018, EUR million) were recorded for China (+320), USA (+307), Japan (+165) and Canada (+55), while exports decreased most to Iran (-29), Libya (-27) and Morocco (-27).Looking at product categories, the increase in export values was driven in particular by pork meat (+156), spirits and liqueurs (+151), wine and vermouth (+137) and infant food (+108) exports. On the other hand, exports of beet and cane sugar (-42), vegetable oils (excluding palm and olive oil) (-27), live animals (-23) and fatty
acids (-19) decreased the most in value terms.

Imports

The value of May 2019 EU agri-food imports compared to May 2018 increased most from Ukraine (+173), China (+103), USA (+67) and Argentina (+59). The value of imports went down most from Morocco (-68), Tunisia (-37) and Indonesia (-34). Increases were recorded in import values of oilcakes (+78), cocoa beans (+76), tropical fruit (+76) and other vegetable oils (+76), while imports of fruit (excluding citrus and tropical fruit) (-157), soybeans (-73), palm oil (-37) and olive oil (-32) fell the most in value terms.

Sectors

By sector, the general increase in export values ​​was mainly due to pork (up to 156 million euros), liquors and spirits (151 million euros in increase), wine and vermouth (137 million euros) and food children (up to 108 million euros). ). On the contrary, exports of cane and beet sugar (less than 42 million euros), vegetable oils (excluding palm and olive oil) (27 million euros), live animals (23 million euros) and acids fatty (a decrease of 19 euros). millions) fell. There were increases in the value of imports of oil cakes (up to 78 million euros), cocoa beans (an increase of 76 million euros), tropical fruits (76 million euros) and other vegetable oils (76 million euros). euros) While imports of fruit (excluding citrus and tropical fruits) (up to 157 million), soybeans (falling by 73 million), palm oil (up to 37 million euros) and olive oil (up to 32 million) decreased .

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Agri-food trade report

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