Boost of EU agri-food trade in September 2022

EU agri-food exports and imports are both on the rise in September 2022. EU exports have been increasing since the beginning of the year and reached €20.9 billion that month. The value of EU imports was €15.6 billion, which resulted in another positive trade balance for the EU at €5.8 billion. It is also the highest value in 2022. These are the main finding of the latest monthly agri-food trade report published today by the European Commission.

The latest monthly agri-food trade report also features a special focus on trade flows between the EU and the United States.

Exports

In value terms, EU agri-food exports increased by 3.1% compared with August 2022. The increase in exports was largely driven by higher volumes of cereals preparations, wine and mixed food preparations being shipped, notably to the UK. Overall, the most significant changes were observed exports to China (+18%), the UK (+7%) and the United States (+5%). In September 2022, EU exports of protein crops and fruit (apples, pears, peaches) to the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region and to sub-Saharan Africa increased significantly while exports of wheat declined.

Imports

In September 2022, the EU continued to import mostly from Brazil (€1.9 billion), Ukraine (€1.4 billion) and the UK (€1.3 billion). Since January 2022, imports from Brazil increased by 47% compared to the same period in 2021. Imports from Ukraine increased by 76% while the ones from the UK increased by 33%. The EU has imported soya beans, coffee, soya meals and maize from Brazil. The top products imported from Ukraine are maize, sunflower oil, sunflower seeds and rapeseed.

Over the period January-September 2022, EU oilseeds and protein crops imports remain the highest value (+42% compared to 2021), followed by fruit and nuts (+8% compared to 2021) and coffee, tea, coca and spices (+33% compared to 2021).

EU agri-food trade with the United States

The US is one of the EU’s biggest trade partners for agriculture and food products. To further cooperate on agricultural issues, in particular on sustainability, the European Commission and the US Department of Agriculture launched in November 2021 a Collaborative Platform on Agriculture. Throughout the year 2022, joint workshops were held on productivity, soil health, food security and GHG emissions, culminating in a wide ranging discussion between EU and US stakeholders in December.

More insights as well as detailed tables are available below in the latest edition of the monthly EU agri-food trade report.

Related links

Trade and international policy analysis

Previous monthly data on EU agri-food exports and imports