The EU's agri-food exports in January rose slightly to EUR9.3 billion (US$10.43 billion) compared with those in January 2015, resulting in a small trade surplus, the latest monthly statistical report of the European Commission's agriculture and rural development division said.

Highest increases in monthly export values were recorded for USA, China and some North African and Middle East countries (including Iran). Declines were recorded for Hong Kong, Algeria, Korea and, expectedly, Russia.

Pork and meat products classified under offal and other meat (such as livers), together with vegetables, recorded the highest increases in monthly export values in January.

Agri-food imports to the EU in January, on the other hand, decreased slightly to EUR9.2 billion ($10.32 billion) from EUR9.3 billion in January 2015. Imports from Ukraine and the US went up while those from Canada and Brazil declined.

The EU posted a small agri-food trade surplus in contrast to the trade deficit registered in January 2015. The EU also had trade surplus during the 12-month period February 2015 to January 2016.