EU agri-food trade remains robust in June 2025

The latest agri-food trade report published by the European Commission shows that EU agri-food trade stayed stable in June 2025. The overall trade surplus rebounded, though it remained below last year’s rate at the same period, due to higher import prices.

EU agri-food exports reached €19.1 billion in June. This represents is a decline of 4% from May but is still 2% higher than the same month last year. The United Kingdom was the leading destination, accounting for €27.6 billion (+€1.2 billion, +5%) due to high cocoa and chocolate prices in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. It was followed by the United States and Switzerland. By contrast, exports to China fell by €670 million (−10%) due to reduced cereals demand.

Cocoa and coffee products continued to underpin growth. Exports of coffee, tea, cocoa and spices rose by €1.8 billion (+38%) on account of a near-doubling of prices for cocoa paste, butter and powder and a 30% price rise for coffee. Chocolate and confectionery exports surged by €1 billion (+20%), while dairy exports added €635 million (+7%).

EU agri-food imports stood at €15.3 billion in June. This is down 10% compared to May but still 15% higher than in June of last year. In the first half of 2025, compared to the same period last year, the largest increases came from Côte d’Ivoire (+€2 billion, +66%, reflecting high cocoa prices), Canada (+€1.2 billion, +101% due to increased cereals and rapeseed imports), China (+€946 million, +22%), and Brazil (+€838 million, +10%). By contrast, imports from Ukraine fell by €891 million (−13%), while those from Russia dropped by €566 million (−73%). High commodity prices drove much of the increase.

Source: European Commission