Food export increased
In the year 2020 agri-food export in the European Union region, had an increase in the value of 1.4%, in monetary terms it was 184.300 million euros. While imports also had a growth of 0,5%, 122.200 million euros.
The European Union has made the data available and they show that the trade balance sees a surplus of 62.000 euros, up from 3.220 million euros in 2019 driven by pork, infant food and wheat.
Purchasing Countries/Destination
Various types of products contributed to the €675 million increase in exports to Switzerland, while for the MENA region cereals and dairy products were the most requested products. Mainly to Saudi Arabia where values reached around €648 million, while Algeria reached €494 million and Morocco to €413 million.
The United States of America followed the opposite direction, with a fall in imports directly from the European Union of 392 million euros, mainly in products such as spirits and wines. Turkey and Singapore also saw a decrease of €360 million and €346 million respectively.
Even with the impact of Brexit, exports to the UK saw an increase of €467 million compared to 2019, where wheat, pasta and pastries led the way. While spirits and liqueurs were the most affected in a particular way, reducing by €1.200 million.
Products
The year 2019 had several products being exported that saw significant growth. Pork exports grew by €2.120 million over the course of the year, while the value of wheat exports increased by €1.770 million. Other products had a standout performance in 2020, such as petfood which increased by €557 million, rapeseed and sunflower oils saw an increase of €467 million and pasta and pastries by €391 million.
The year 2020 was among the most challenging for exports overall, especially of agri-foods from the European Union. There was a decline in the values of spirits and liqueurs by €1.580 million, wines reduced by €1.200 million, raw hides and skins were down €582 million and cotton by €413 million.
Imports also declined in value, mainly with secondary cereals by €1.22 million, spirits and liqueurs by €493 million and oilseeds by less than €441 million.
In the opposite direction, imports of palm and palm kernel oil rose by €719 million, fatty acids and waxes to €689 million, rapeseed and sunflower seeds by €602 million and nuts by €491 million