In January and February 2021, the value of EU agri-food exports totalled €28.5 billion (a decrease of 6% compared to the same period in 2020). The value of imports fell by 12.5% to reach €18.2 billion. The agri-food trade surplus for the first two months of 2021 stood at €10.3 billion, an increase of 8% compared to the corresponding period in 2020. These are amongst the main findings published today by the European Commission in the monthly trade report for January-February 2021.
The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union had a significant impact on EU agri-food trade with the UK, with the exports declining in value by €1.13 billion and imports falling by €1.38 billion. Trade with the USA also dipped, with the value of exports falling by €287 million and the value of imports dropping by €191 million.
Further declines in export values were recorded in relation to Russia (down by €169 million), Japan (a drop of €141 million), and Saudi Arabia (a decrease of €90 million), while notable falls in import values were recorded for Indonesia (down by €184 million) and Ukraine (down €170 million).
Significant reductions in value were noted for the majority of EU agri-food exports, among which were preparations of vegetables and fruit (down €119 million).As regards import values, the largest decreases were reported for tropical fruit (falling by €411 million).
Source: ec.europa.eu