The latest figures, published by the European Commission on Wednesday 20 September, reveal that EU agri-food exports rose to €11.3 billion in July 2017, a 7% increase compared to July 2016.
The biggest increases according to value (July 2017 compared with July 2016) were exports to the United States (up €194 million) and Russia (up €104 million for products not included in the Russian embargo). However, exports to Saudi Arabia, Libya and the UAE declined steeply, down €156 million, €50 million and €40 million respectively. In terms of sectors, spirits and liqueurs experienced strong growth (up €169 million), followed by milk powders (up €107 million).
EU agri-food imports also increased by 9% in value compared to July of last year. The EU agri-food trade balance remains well in the black, with a surplus of more than €2 billion in July 2017. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)