• The European Commission communicated that in 2023, the European Union's agri-food balance recorded a remarkable surplus, due to the persistence of high prices for products exported by the EU and the drop in prices for imported products.
According to a press release from the community executive sent by Agerpres, EU agri-food exports reached a record level of 228,6 billion euros, while imports stood at 158,6 billion euros. This result generated a total surplus of €70,1 billion, an increase of 22% or €12,8 billion compared to the situation in 2022.
Cereal preparations, dairy products and wine were the main ones "engines" of EU exports in 2023, the release states. The Community Executive mentions that due to the recognized quality, competitiveness and high level of diversification, European Union continues to be the world's most important trader of agri-food products.
Great Britain - in first place
The UK was the top destination for EU agri-food exports in 2023, accounting for 22% or €51,3 billion of total EU exports. The US and China took the next places, each with 6% of EU agri-food exports. However, the data indicates that EU pork exports to China have decreased by 29% in 2023. At the same time, EU agri-food exports to Turkey have increased by 7% to EUR 683 million, and those to Ukraine increased by 18%, or 533 million euros, up to 3,455 billion euros.
In terms of EU agri-food imports, the three main countries of origin in 2023 were Brazil, the UK and Ukraine. EU agri-food imports from Ukraine reached €11,8 billion (7% of total EU imports), down 10% from 2022 but up 71% from 2021.
European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, pointed out that the recent data on the agri-food balance reflects "the quality of EU products and the competitiveness of EU production".
Article written by Gabriela Dan, Editor of Arta Albă
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