The total value of agri-food trade in the European Union reached €32,6 billion in March, an increase of 12% compared to March 2021 and 13% compared to February 2022 , reveals the latest monthly trade report from the European Commission.
Specifically, agricultural exports reached €18,9 billion in the third month of the year, while imports were valued at €13,7 billion, representing increases of 11% and 16%, respectively, compared to the previous month's figures. The European Union continues to benefit from trade in agricultural products, with a trade balance of €5,3 billion.
War in Ukraine
The report also focuses particularly on the impact of the war in Ukraine on agri-food trade. It shows that in March, EU imports of sunflower oil, maize, and rapeseed from Ukraine fell by 10%, 37%, and 29%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. As for wheat, the quantity imported decreased by 77% compared to March 2021.
There was also a significant drop in wheat exports from Ukraine to its main global partners: 26% to Egypt, 55% to Yemen, and no wheat trade was recorded with Lebanon, Libya, and Nigeria.
Similarly, Ukrainian corn exports fell sharply in March compared to the same month in 2021. The largest decreases in export volumes were recorded in China, Egypt, and Iran. For sunflower oil, India, China, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates were the most affected by the reduction in Ukrainian exports in March.
In March, the European Union's export supply chains were also disrupted, and the quantities exported to Ukraine fell compared to March 2021. Volumes of cheese exported to Ukraine decreased by 85%, mixed food preparations by 61%, and cereal preparations by 11%.
Exports
In a global context marked by food security uncertainties due to the war in Ukraine, the European Union increased its exports to North Africa by 16% compared to March 2021. These are mainly oilseeds and protein crops to Algeria and cereals to all countries, but also beef, particularly to Libya and Egypt. European Union food exports to sub-Saharan Africa also increased in March compared to the previous year. This includes rice, maize, white sugar, pork, and sheep and goat meat.
Globally, exports from the European Union to its top 10 partner countries, excluding Russia, increased. Regarding trade in the first quarter, exports from the European Union to the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Japan increased even further compared to the same period last year.
During this period, imports to the European Union from Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine increased by 56%, 51%, and 65%, respectively.
