While the year began slowly, the total value of EU agri-food trade (exports plus imports) for January-July 2021 stood at €183.8 billion, a 3.2% increase on the corresponding period last year. Exports were almost 6% higher at €111.4 billion, with imports dropping marginally by 0.2% to €72.4 billion. This reflects an overall agri-food trade surplus of €39 billion for the first seven months of the year, an increase of 18% compared to the same period in 2020.

The largest increase in exports was seen in those to the United States, the value of which grew by €1.6 billion, or 13%. This was primarily driven by wine, spirits and liqueurs, and chocolate and confectionary. There was also substantial growth in exports to China (€857 million higher), due to strong performances from spirits and liqueurs, coarse grains and wine. Additionally, the January-July period saw the value of exports increase significantly to Switzerland (up €450 million), Norway (up €352 million), South Korea (up €328 million) and Israel (up €257 million).