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The annual value of EU agri-food exports in 2016 reached a new record level with total exports reaching €130.7 billion, up €1.7 billion on 2015. The biggest increases in annual exports were to the USA (up €1.26 billion) and China (up €1.06 billion). At the same time, the value of EU agri-food imports went down 1.5% to €112 billion. This leads to an increase of the EU agri-food trade surplus to € 18.8 billion, up from €15.3 billion in 2015.
The agri-food sector accounted for 7.5% of total EU exports in goods in 2016; and 6.6% of all imported goods are agri-food products. With a surplus of €18.8 billion the agri-food sector is also a major contributor to the overall surplus of the European Union in merchandise trade, which stood at €39.3 billion in 2016. Throughout last year, EU producers have successfully increased exports of non-commodity primary products (pigmeat, vegetables). Also export values for processed agricultural products (wine, olive oil) and food preparation increased by 4 to 5% in average, while export values for commodities (wheat and other cereals, milk powder) and non-edible products went down.
The value of pigmeat exports in 2016 increased by 32% (EUR +1.28 billion) and also exports under the category of meat offal (mainly from pig production) increased by EUR 0.5 billion (+22.5%) on an annual base.
Thursday February 23, 2017/ EC/ European Union.
http://europa.eu/rapid
