Cumulative EU Agri-Food exports reached €117.2 billion in the first half of 2026, down 2% year-on-year mainly due to weaker cocoa product, pigmeat and olive oil exports, while imports fell faster, widening the overall surplus. Exports to Egypt rose 28% on higher wheat sales, and shipments to Ukraine and India also grew, but exports to the United Arab Emirates dropped 25% as Gulf-bound maritime routes were disrupted. Spirits and liqueurs exports grew 10%, while coffee, tea, cocoa and spice exports fell 16%.

The figures illustrate how exposed EU Agri-Food trade currently is to geopolitical shipping disruptions even as the sector holds onto its trade surplus, a signal worth watching for anyone tracking the EU's strategic autonomy and sourcing diversification efforts in food and agricultural inputs.
 

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