EU agri-food trade surplus holds firm in the first 4 months of the year

The EU agri-food sector maintained and expanded a positive trade balance in the first four months of 2026, with a cumulative surplus of €15.6 billion, €233 million higher than in the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports for January–April totalled €77.6 billion, €2.3 billion (3%) below the same period in 2025, mainly due to lower values of exports of cocoa products and pigmeat. Exports of pigmeat decreased by
EUR 522 million (-12%) due to lower prices.

The UK remained the EU's largest export destination, despite a modest dip of 2% (€454 million). The value and volume of exports decreased in most product categories, particularly for pigmeat and cereals. However, exports of rape oil tripled (+ EUR 101 million).

Trade with Gulf countries was also affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with exports to the United Arab Emirates falling by 25% (€266 million). By contrast, exports to Egypt increased by €302 million (+49%), driven by wheat, while exports to Ukraine rose by €104 million (+7%).

Cumulative imports reached €62 billion, down €2.5 billion (7%) year-on-year. Import values from Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Cameroon and Guinea all declined as cocoa prices continued to fall, while imports from the US and Ukraine also decreased, driven by lower purchases of soya beans and wheat respectively. By contrast, imports from Viet Nam increased by €278 million (+16%), supported by higher coffee volumes. Among product categories, imports of coffee, tea, cocoa and spices fell by €1.6 billion (-12%), while imports of fruit and nuts, beef and veal, and margarine and other oils and fats all recorded increases.