The European Commission has published its latest bulletin monitoring EU agri-food trade, covering developments up to May 2026 based on Eurostat COMEXT data. The report shows the EU's cumulative agri-food trade surplus for January-May 2026 reached EUR 19.4 billion, EUR 1 billion higher than the same period last year, supported primarily by declining global cocoa prices. In May alone, EU agri-food exports totalled EUR 19.3 billion, down 4% year-on-year, while imports stood at EUR 15.4 billion, down 10%.

On the export side, the sharpest reduction was to the United States (-13%, EUR 1.6 billion), attributed to high export levels earlier in 2025 ahead of announced US tariffs, alongside lower prices for drinks, olive oil and cocoa products. Exports to the UK, Japan and Gulf countries also declined, the latter linked to disruption from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. By contrast, exports to Egypt and Ukraine grew significantly, driven by increased wheat and spirits sales respectively. Pigmeat exports fell across several Asian markets, partly linked to the African Swine Fever outbreak in Spain.

On the import side, falling cocoa prices drove reduced import values from major cocoa-producing countries including Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Cameroon, while lower soya bean volumes reduced imports from the US. Cereal and oilseed imports also contracted, mainly on lower wheat volumes and prices. Fruit and nuts, beef and veal, and margarine and oils were the main categories showing import growth, the latter reflecting tight EU beef supply and rising domestic prices.

Find the full report here. 

#AgriFoodTrade #SustainableSourcing #EUAgriculture #StrategicAutonomyFood #SingleMarketAgriFood