Exports increased by almost 6% to 95.3 billion euros, while imports fell by 1% to 61.8 billion euros, for a total agri-food trade surplus of 33.5 billion euros for the first half. This is an increase of 21% compared to the corresponding period last year.

Looking at monthly developments, the values ​​of EU agri-food exports in June 2021 were 14% higher than the same month in 2020, after increasing steadily since March 2021. The monthly import values ​​of the EU in June 2021 were 10% higher compared to the same month in 2020, after following an upward trend since March 2021. For January-June 2021, the value of exports to the United Kingdom fell by 446 million d euros, down 2% compared to the first half of 2020. Similarly, the overall drop in agri-food imports to the EU were largely driven by the reduction in imports from the UK, down 30% from compared to the same period last year. There has been a significant increase in exports to a number of major trading partners compared to the first half of 2020. This includes exports to the United States, driven by wine, spirits, liqueurs and vegetable preparations, and exports to China supported by a strong performance of EU pork and coarse grains. The value of exports to Switzerland, Norway, Israel and Canada also increased. The January-June period also saw the value of imports increase for products from Brazil, India, Australia, Serbia and Argentina.

More information is available here and on agro-trade policy monitoring here.