October 25, 2017

EU agri-food exports surprisingly rise 8% in August

The monthly value of EU agri-food exports in August--a month associated in the past with an export dip--rose 8% (or €847 million) to €11.5 billion (US$13.55 billion) compared with the same month last year, with milk powders posting a strong increase of €123 million, second only to wine and vermouth (+€130 million).

Falls in wheat and pork exports were much smaller than recent months at -€15 million and -€13 million, respectively.

For the 12-month period from September 2016 to August 2017, EU agri-food exports reached a value of EUR136.3 billion ($160.62 billion), corresponding to a sustained increase of 5% in value terms compared with the same period a year before.

Exports of milk powders for the same 12-month period increased 14%, or by €521 million, while cheese rose 11%, or by €385 million.

Wheat and other cereals exports dropped in value terms on an annual basis by 29% (or €1.709 billion) and 30% (€667 million).