July 23, 2018

EU milk powder, pork exports dip in May

Milk powder was among the EU agri-food sectors that recorded notable export decreases in May. Exports declined 18.9% or by €80 million compared with the same month last year, according to the latest monthly agri-food trade report published on Wednesday, July 18.

Pork exports also fell 7.8% or by €33 million. Poultry and bovine meat exports, however, increased, respectively, by 7.2% or €9 million and 8.5% or €6 million.

During May EU agri-food exports remained strong, with €11.2 billion recorded, versus €10 billion worth of imports. EU trade, thus, registered a surplus of €1.2 billion. This represents an increase of 23% compared with May 2017.

For the 12-months period from June 2017 to May 2018, EU agri-food exports were valued at €136.6 billion, up 1.4% from the previous period.

During this period, wheat exports experienced the most significant drop in value terms (-€999 million; -22%). Pork also posted a notable loss in export value (-€454 million; -8%), as well as cereals, excluding wheat and rice (-€179 million; -10%).

The highest increases in import values during the referenced period were recorded for cereals, excluding wheat and rice (+€855 million; +35%), among others.

However, import values decreased particularly for soya beans (-€706 million; -13%), among others.