Photo © Valcho – Fotolia
(BRUSSELS) – The EU confirmed its position as number one agri-food exporter worldwide as agri-food exports reached EUR 129 billion in 2015 – more than 7 per cent of all goods exported from the EU.
According to the report agri-food trade in 2015 EU exports for agricultural products showed an annual increase of 5.7%, securing the EU’s position as first world agri-food exporter with a net trade surplus of 16 billion.
The entire output of the European Union’s agricultural sector was valued at 410 billion in 2015. Agriculture and the food and drink industry together employ millions of people, accounting for 7.5 % of employment and 3.7 % of total value added in the EU.
Although some EU Member States and sectors still suffered from the Russian ban and from low world market prices, the overall EU agricultural trade performance was positive in 2015.
Diversification of exports has been key to the performance. Besides finding new markets, ties with existing partners have been strengthened, as around half of the total gain in exports came from increased trade with China.
Currently, the top five destinations for EU28 agri-food exports are the US, China, Switzerland, Russia and Japan. Several sanitary and phyto-sanitary barriers were lifted in 2015 and export opportunities also increased because of agreements on geographical indications for EU quality products with among others Morocco. The ranking of the top world agri-food exporters remained unchanged in 2015, after the EU took over the leading position from the US in 2013.
