The latest figures published by the European Commission for agri-food trade between the EU and the rest of the world for July shows a 2% increase on the same month last year to €11.5bn. This brings growth for the past 12 months to just under 1%.

Meanwhile, imports were down 0.6% in July, causing the EU's agricultural trade surplus to jump to €2.2bn.

Recent high-profile trade deals appear to be delivering, with Japan accelerating its imports of European food and drink, and purchasing 7.9% more in July. The country is now the EU's fourth largest agri-food customer. Canada, too, saw a 11.6% increase in agricultural imports from Europe that month.

Billion-euro Chinese slowdown

However, the EU's second largest buyer, China, imported 6.7% less in July. This is the largest monthly change in value terms, representing €72m wiped off EU agri-food exports that month.

Over the past 12 months, Chinese demand has decreased by 1%, accounting for over €1bn in lost business.

This matches a slowdown in milk powder exports, partly explained by continuing low prices.

The value of milk powders and whey shipped from the EU in July was down 11.2%, and over 5% in the past 12 months. Exports to other key milk powder buyers, such as Algeria, Mexico and Saudi Arabia, have dropped too.

US exports

Exports to the US, the top destination of EU agri-food, remained stable, while American imports into Europe jumped by 23.7% in July, recovering after a slowdown in the past 12 months.

EU demand for American soya beans has grown as feed needs increased as a result of drought across northern Europe this summer.

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