Source: Oleoscope (Russia)
According to Eurostat, the European Union’s agricultural products imports rose by 6.7% last year compared to 2023, reaching 194.9 billion euros, while exports grew by 2.8% to 234.1 billion euros.
Brazil led as the top exporter of agricultural products to the EU, representing 8.8% of its imports, followed by the UK at 8.5%, Ukraine at 6.7%, with the United States (6.1%) and China (5.1%) also among the main suppliers, Eurostat reported.
On the export side, the UK comprised 23% of the EU’s agricultural exports during the period, with the US contributing 12.8%, Switzerland 5.4%, and China and Japan occupying the fourth and fifth positions with 5.3% and 3.6% respectively, according to the statistics.
Between 2014 and 2024, agricultural trade within EU member states expanded by 59%, with exports surging by 58% and imports increasing by 60.2%. This corresponds to an average yearly growth of 4.7% for exports and 4.8% for imports, the agency highlighted.
Additionally, recent information revealed a 24% rise in EU soybean meal imports surpassing last year’s levels. Since the start of the season, EU countries have boosted imports of soybeans and rapeseed while cutting back on edible oils imports. Notably, imports from Russia dropped approximately fivefold.