Brussels: The latest EU agri-food trade report published by the European Commission shows that, in the first four months of 2026, the EU agri-food trade surplus reached £15.6 billion, which is £233 million higher than the same period in 2025.
According to Emirates News Agency, EU agri-food exports totalled £77.6 billion in January-April 2026, marking a decrease of 3% compared with 2025. The UK continued to be the primary export destination. Notably, exports to Egypt surged by 49%, driven largely by wheat, while exports to Ukraine increased by 7%, with spirits showing the largest growth. However, trade disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz resulted in a significant 25% drop in exports to the United Arab Emirates.
The report highlighted a 7% decline in cumulative imports to £62 billion, attributed to reduced imports of cocoa products, cereals, as well as oilseeds and protein crops. This decline further reinforced the EU's positive trade balance. Imports from C´te d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Guinea decreased owing to falling cocoa prices. Meanwhile, Ukrainian wheat imports plummeted by 71%. Conversely, imports from Viet Nam rose by 16%, buoyed by increased coffee volumes. The fruit and nuts category saw the most growth in imports, rising by 6%, with avocados and hazelnuts contributing significantly to this increase.
Overall, the EU agri-food trade remains stable, with a robust surplus mitigating softer performance in certain key sectors.