Brussels, 04/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - In 2010, the EU once again became a net exporter of agri-food products for the first time since 2006, with a €6 billion surplus, according to a report published by the European Commission on Tuesday 3 May. The previous year, it had a deficit of €2.5 billion.
The worldwide economic recovery generally helped international trade in goods and services last year. Trade expanded by 14.5% after a 12% drop in 2009 compared with 2008. The improvement was even greater in the agri-food sector (up 20% in 2010) following on from a less marked 6% decline in 2009.
EU agri-food exports to non-EU countries reached a record €91 billion roughly in 2010 (up 21%), just behind the USA (€92 billion, 24%). The EU remained, however, the largest agri-food importer with €84 billion worth of imports in 2010 (up 9%), but still below the €88 billion of 2008.
75% of the increase in European exports was driven by a rise in the volume of sales, while 25% may be attributed to higher prices, the Commision reports says. Processed agri-food products and “other goods” (such as flavourings) accounted for 69% of EU exports for the period from 2008 to 2010, compared with 20% for intermediate goods and 9% for raw agricultural produce.
The main products exported were wines, flavourings, food preparations and whisky.
In 2010, for the first time since 2006, sales to the United States increased. 15% of EU agri-food exports went to the USA. Russia was the second largest customer, with a 9% share.
Soya beans and soya meal were the EU's largest imports, accounting for 13% of purchases over the period from 2008 to 2010 (€10.9 billion per year). The next largest imports were coffee, cocoa beans and palm oil. (L.C./transl.rt)