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The EU agri-food trade surplus reached EUR 5.4 billion in September 2025, 45% higher than in August, reflecting a strong month-on-month recovery. However, the surplus remains 6% lower than in September 2024. Between January and September, the cumulative surplus stood at EUR 35.7 billion, EUR 13.5 billion less than the same period in 2024, mainly due to higher import prices, particularly for cocoa and coffee.
Exports
EU agri-food exports reached EUR 20.1 billion in September, up 13% from August and 4% above September 2024. Since January, cumulative exports totaled EUR 177.4 billion, an increase of EUR 2.6 billion (+1%) compared with 2024, driven largely by higher export prices for cocoa and coffee.
The UK remained the largest market for EU exports between January and September, accounting for 23% of the total (EUR 41.5 billion). Exports to the UK increased by EUR 1.8 billion (+5%), supported by higher value of cocoa products, chocolate and dairy.
The US remained the second-largest destination (12%, EUR 21.8 billion), but exports fell by EUR 495 million (−2%), while Switzerland ranked third, with exports of EUR 9.9 billion. Exports to Ukraine also rose by EUR 540 million (+21%).
By contrast, exports to China declined the most, falling by EUR 859 million (−8%), due to significantly reduced cereal exports, especially wheat.
Exports in the category coffee, tea, cocoa and spices grew the most, rising by EUR 2.2 billion (+29%) between January and September compared to 2024. The increase was driven by higher export prices, including a 74% increase in the cost of cocoa products and a 30% increase for coffee.
Exports of confectionery and chocolate rose by EUR 1.3 billion (+16%), reflecting a 27% increase in chocolate export prices. Dairy exports increased by EUR 829 million (+6%), mainly due to higher prices for cheese and butter.
Cereal exports fell by EUR 1.3 billion (−14%) during the period, reflecting lower volumes of wheat (−19%) and maize (−25%), although volumes have recovered to above 2024 levels since August.
Exports of olives and olive oil increased by 17% in volume but declined in value by EUR 942 million (−17%), as prices fell by 29% from last year’s peak. However, export values remained 28% higher than in 2023.
Wine exports also fell by EUR 530 million (−4%), due to reduced shipments.
Imports
EU agri-food imports reached EUR 14.7 billion in September 2025, 5% higher than August and 8% above September 2024. Cumulative imports reached EUR 141.7 billion between January and September, an increase of EUR 14.9 billion (+13%) year-on-year, mainly due to higher prices for coffee and cocoa.
Imports from Côte d’Ivoire saw the largest increase, rising by EUR 2.3 billion (+48%) between January and September, driven by high cocoa prices. Canada recorded the second-largest increase (+EUR 1.5 billion, +88%), mainly due to higher imports of rapeseed, wheat and maize. Imports from the US rose by EUR 1.3 billion (+15%) due to higher maize imports and increased prices for nuts. Vietnam (+EUR 1.2 billion, +41%) and Brazil (+EUR 1.1 billion, +9%) also saw strong increases, reflecting higher coffee imports.
By contrast, imports from Ukraine decreased by EUR 1.8 billion (−18%), due to lower maize (−38%) and wheat (−57%) volumes. Imports from Russia fell by 68% (−EUR 585 million), partly because of lower oilseed imports, while Indonesia recorded a decline of EUR 402 million (−10%) due to reduced palm oil imports.
Imports of coffee, tea, cocoa and spices recorded the largest increase, rising by EUR 10.6 billion (+50%) year-on-year, driven by higher prices, with coffee prices up 51% and cocoa bean prices up 76%.
Imports of fruit and nuts increased by EUR 3.5 billion (+19%), mainly due to higher prices.
Other notable increases included confectionery and chocolate (+EUR 567 million, +29%), beef and veal (+EUR 486 million, +26%), and margarine and other oils and fats (+EUR 439 million, +14%).
Conversely, imports of olives and olive oil fell by EUR 647 million (−44%), reflecting lower volumes and lower prices following the recovery of EU production.
Imports of oilseeds and protein crops fell by EUR 585 million (−4%) in value due to lower prices, despite a 6% increase in volumes. Imports of cereals dropped by EUR 508 million (−7%), driven by lower wheat and maize volumes. Imports of vegetable oils also decreased by EUR 476 million (−8%), mainly due to reduced volumes of palm and sunflower oil.
November 28, 2025/ European Commission/ European Union.
https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu
