How have EU agri-food exports fared in the first 8 months of 2020?

The European Commission has published its monthly trade report detailing how agri-food exports fared between January to August 2020.

During the first eight months of 2020, EU27 (member states) exports reached a value of €119 billion (an increase of 1.2% compared to January-August 2019), while imports attained a value of €81.6 billion (an increase of 0.8%).

As a result, the agri-food trade surplus stood at €37.4 billion, an increase of 2% compared to the corresponding period in 2019.

Although exports of pig meat, wheat and coarse grains performed strongly during this period, exports of wine and spirit drinks struggled.

In terms of trading partners, China continued to grow as an important source for EU exports.

The value of EU agri-food exports to China grew by €2.77 billion, prompted by strong sales of EU pig meat, wheat, offal meat, infant food and barley.

In Saudi Arabia, a €537 million rise in the value of EU agri-food exports was largely propelled by sales of barley and dairy products.

How did other exports fare?

Cereals (principally wheat) and various dairy products also performed strongly in Morocco and Algeria, where the agri-food export values rose by €383 million and €345 million respectively.

EU agri-food exports also grew in Switzerland (up by €416 million) and Ukraine (up €299 million).

The value of imports from the UK declined by €1.03 billion. This decline affected the majority of agri-food products, most notably spirits and liqueurs.

Meanwhile, the value of EU exports to the UK dropped by €329 million, with wine, poultry meat, and butter among the main product categories affected. Increases, however, were recorded in the export values of pasta and pastry, oilcakes and wheat.

As regards to product categories, the export values of EU pig meat and wheat experienced remarkable growths, rising by €1.98 billion and €1.45 billion respectively.

The export value of coarse grains also increased (by €390 million), as a result of growing demand in the European Neighbourhood region, Africa and China.