EU agri-food exports in January 2016 were worth €9.3bn, in line with January 2015. The highest increases in monthly export values were achieved for pork, vegetables and meat products classified under offal and other meat (livers, etc).

However, monthly export values in January 2016 compared to December 2015 went down in value terms, in particular for raw hides and skins, milk powders and sugar.

The trade balance for all EU agri-food products in January 2016 turned into a slight export surplus compared to the export deficit in January 2015.

Biggest increases

For the 12-month period (February 2015 to January 2016), EU agri-food exports reached a value of more than €129bn – an increase of 6% in value compared to the same period one year ago.

Major gains were achieved in values of agri-food exports to the US (+18%), China (+39%) and Saudi Arabia (+35%). Exports to Turkey, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, Israel and Egypt also increased by more than €200m each in the same period.

Exports to Russia decreased from €8.6bn to €5.5bn over the last 12 months – a reduction in value of 36%.

Analysing the performance over the last 12 months per product category, cereals other than wheat were up 57%, while live animals were up 25%.

Bovine (+13%), pork (+9.5%) and offal (+4.5%) meats all saw an increase over the last 12 months, while sheep meat exports saw a decrease (-6%) in value.

Exports of milk powders (-16%) and fresh fruit (-11%) lost most in export values over the last 12 months, both affected by the Russian embargo. Milk powder exports also suffered from the contraction of Chinese demand for dairy products.