The European Union reported a €30.1 billion surplus in its agri-food sector in the first seven months of 2026, €2.9 billion more than in the corresponding period a year ago, according to new data from the European Commission.
As the Commission noted, EU agri-food exports from January to July were valued at €138.7 billion, down €1.6 billion, or 1%, compared with the same period of 2025. Imports were €108.6 billion, down €4.5 billion, or 4%.
The €30.1 billion surplus compares with €27.2 billion in the corresponding seven months of 2025.
EU exports
Exports to Egypt increased by €251 million, or 22%, largely driven by higher wheat exports. Exports to Ukraine rose by €239 million, or 10%, while exports to Türkiye increased by €235 million, or 7%.
On a product basis, exports of coffee, tea, cocoa and spices fell by €1.3 billion (-16%), while pigmeat and olives and olive oil also recorded significant decreases.
On the positive side, meanwhile, exports of ‘other animal products’ increased by €549 million, or 11%, while spirits and liqueurs increased by €470 million, or 10%.
Cocoa prices
On the import side, the reduction was strongly influenced by lower values for products from major cocoa-producing countries as cocoa prices declined.
EU imports from Côte d’Ivoire fell by €1.2 billion, or 21%, while imports from Cameroon and Nigeria each declined by 46%.
At the same time, imports from Brazil increased by €528 million, or 5%, mainly because of higher soya bean volumes. Imports from Argentina increased by €240 million, or 8%, driven by sunflower seeds.
By product category, EU imports of coffee, tea, cocoa and spices fell by €4.8 billion, or 19%. Cereal imports fell by €609 million, or 11%, while dairy imports decreased by €308 million, or 19%.
Fruit and nut imports increased by €587 million, or 3%, while increases were also reported in non-edible products for technical use and margarine and other oils and fats. Read more here.
