December 2015 - EU agri-food exports again higher than in previous years.

EU agri-food exports in December 2015 achieved a value of EUR 11.2 billion, thus exceeding the value of previous years for the same month by almost EUR 1 billion. This is an up-take of more than 9% compared to the usual export values in December.

Highest increases in monthly export values were recorded for USA, China and Japan, as well as for some Middle East countries (Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates), while the most important reductions were in exports to Hong Kong, Algeria and again, Russia. The highest increases in monthly export values were witnessed for wheat (EUR +168 million compared to December 2014) as well as for vegetables (EUR +76 million) and for pork (EUR +72 million).

On the other hand, monthly export values in Dec 2015 compared to Dec 2014 went down in particular for milk powders (EUR -20 million) and for hides and skins (EUR -32 million) and other non-edible products. In December 2015 agri-food imports to the EU increased to EUR 9.6 billion form EUR 8.9 billion in December 2014. The highest increase in monthly imports was from Ukraine, followed by imports from USA and Australia. Imports went down in particular from Indonesia in December 2015 compared to December 2014 The trade balance for all EU agri-food products in 2015 showed a surplus in exports of about EUR 16 billion, at bit lower than in 2014 (EUR 18 billion).

Export performance in 2015 still at record level

In 2015, EU agri-food exports to third countries attained a value of more than EUR 129 billion, meaning an increase by 6% in value compared to 2014. Outstanding export values were achieved in March, July and December 2015.

Over the 12 months period, major gains in export values were achieved in the USA (+18.5%) China (+39%), now second export destination taking the place of Russia, as well as on other key markets such as Saudi Arabia (+34%) and Turkey (+20%). Exports to Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Australia, Canada and South Korea also increased in 2015. Due to the embargo, Russia fell down to fourth position and annual EU agrifood exports to Russia decreased from EUR 9 billion (2014) to EUR 5.6 billion in 2015, i.e. a reduction in values by 39%.

Analysing the 2015 annual export performance per product category, export values increased in particular for cereals other than wheat (EUR +1.2 billion; +68% compared to 2014 export values), wine (EUR +835 million; +9%), spirits and liqueurs (EUR +641 million; +7%) as well as for raw hides, skins and furskins (EUR +526 million; +23%), for live animals (EUR +486 million; +25%) and for beer, waters and soft drinks. In relative terms, high increases in 2015 export values were also seen for soya beans, eggs and honey and raw tobacco.

On the negative side, milk powders (EUR -843 million; -17%), fresh fruit (EUR -341 million; -12%) and cheese (EUR -120 million; -3%) lost most in export values over the last year, all of them products concerned by either the Russian embargo or the contraction of Chinese demand for dairy products. Also oilseeds other than soya beans (-17%) and sugar (-13%) experienced losses in export values, although at lower absolute value compared to the products mentioned before.

EU agri-food imports: increase by almost EUR 9 billion in 2015

Agri-food imports from third countries in 2015 came into the EU at a value of EUR 113 billion, corresponding to an increase by 8.7% compared to 2014 import values.

Analysing the origin, imports from Brazil, the traditional first EU supplier, remained quite stable. Imports from the USA, which is already the second most important supplier, showed the highest increase in values (EUR +1.6 billion; +16%) in 2015 compared to 2014. Remarkable increases were recorded for agri-food imports from Turkey (EUR +862 million; +21%), China (EUR +489 million; +10%) Argentina (EUR +466 million; +9%), Vietnam (EUR +377 mio; +20%), and from Colombia (EUR +360 million; +21%). On the other hand, 2015 imports from Indonesia decreased by EUR 189 million (-4%) and imports from Canada went down by EUR 42 million (-2%) compared to 2014.

Looking at 2015 imports per product category, total imports of commodities in value terms remained almost stable (-0.7%), but, in detail, imports of cereals other than wheat and rice decreased (EUR -517 million; -18%), as well as imports of oilcakes (EUR -341 million; -4%), beet and cane sugar (EUR -334 million; -21%), soya beans (EUR -283 million; -5%) and palm oil (EUR -272 million; -5%). On the other hand, imports of unroasted coffee and tea increased sizeably (EUR +1.1 billion; +15%) as well as imports of wheat and oilseeds (other than soya beans).

For products other than commodities, increases were registered in particular for imports of tropical fruit, nuts and spices (EUR +2.7 billion; +26%), fruit and vegetable preparations (EUR +757 million; +25%), fresh fruit (EUR +511 million; +9.5%), fresh vegetables (EUR +373 million; +9.5%), as well as raw tobacco (EUR +285 million; +12%). The most remarkable increase in import values was registered for olive oil, jumping form EUR 143 million in 2014 to EUR 724 million in 2015, four times as high as in the year before.