Agri-food trade in the European Union reached unprecedented levels in 2025, with both exports and imports setting new records, according to data released by the European Commission. The value of EU agri-food exports rose to €238.4 billion in 2025, marking a 1% increase compared with 2024, equivalent to an additional €2.8 billion. The performance makes the EU the only one among the world’s five largest exporters to increase the value of its exports over the period. Imports grew at a significantly faster pace. The value of agri-food imports reached €188.6 billion in 2025, representing a 9% increase compared with the previous record set in 2024, or €16.2 billion more year-on-year.
According to the Commission’s analysis, the stronger growth in import values led to a contraction in the sector’s trade balance. “The more sustained increase in the value of imports resulted in a decline in the agri-food trade balance to €49.9 billion, €13.3 billion lower than in 2024,” the Commission wrote in a dedicated report. Despite the drop, the surplus remains historically high. The Commission noted that the current surplus is still four times larger than the level recorded in 2002, highlighting the structural strength of the EU’s agri-food sector in global markets.
The sector also continues to play a significant role in the EU’s overall trade performance. In 2025, agri-food trade accounted for 9% of the EU’s total exports and 7.5% of its total imports, while contributing 37% of the EU’s overall trade surplus, according to the Commission’s report.
The post-Brexit United Kingdom continues to be the primary destination, accounting for 23% of the total (€55.6 billion). However, volumes have also increased for exports to Turkey (+16%, equivalent to +€1.1 billion) and Switzerland (+7%, +€1.1 billion). By contrast, exports to the United States and China have declined. “Cereal-based preparations, dairy products, and wine,” the report notes, “continued to lead the export basket, while cocoa, coffee, and chocolate recorded the largest value increases, largely driven by rising prices.”
The data also show that the European Union is the only one among the five largest global exporters (the EU, United States, Brazil, China, and Canada) to have recorded growth in the total value of export volumes over the past 12 months, which “demonstrates the resilience of our exports despite a volatile trade environment.”
Trade with partners linked through free trade agreements also dominated the bloc’s agricultural commerce. In 2025, countries with free trade agreements represented 61% of EU agri-food exports and 57% of imports, underscoring the importance of the EU’s network of international trade deals.