The EU agri-food sector expanded its positive trade balance in the first seven months of 2026, with a cumulative surplus of €30.1 billion, €2.9 billion higher than in the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports for January–July totalled €138.7 billion, €1.6 billion (1%) below the same period in 2025.
There was notable growth in exports to several countries recorded in this period. Exports to Egypt increased by €251 million (+22%), driven mainly by wheat, while exports to Ukraine rose by €239 million (+10%) and those to Türkiye by €235 million (+7%). Among product categories, exports of coffee, tea, cocoa and spices fell by €1.3 billion (-16%), while pigmeat and olives and olive oil also recorded significant decreases. Exports of other animal products increased by €549 million (+11%), while spirits and liqueurs rose by €470 million (+10%).
Cumulative imports reached €108.6 billion, down €4.5 billion (4%) year-on-year. Import values from major cocoa-producing countries declined as cocoa prices continued to fall, with prices now around half their spring 2025 peak. Imports from Côte d’Ivoire fell by €1.2 billion (-21%), while imports from Cameroon and Nigeria both decreased by 46%. By contrast, imports from Brazil increased by €528 million (+5%), mainly due to higher soya bean volumes, while imports from Argentina rose by €240 million (+8%), driven by sunflower seeds. Among product categories, imports of coffee, tea, cocoa and spices fell by €4.8 billion (-19%), while cereal imports declined by €609 million (-11%) and dairy imports by €308 million (-19%). By contrast, imports of fruit and nuts increased by €587 million (+3%), while imports of non-edible products for technical use and margarine and other oils and fats also recorded increases.
More insights as well as detailed tables are available below in the latest edition of the monthly EU agri-food trade report.
Monitoring EU agri-food trade: developments until July 2026
