EU agri-food exports reach historic high as bloc maintains global leadership

The EU has released figures that show its agri-food exports reached a historic high of €238.4 billion (US$273.8 billion) in 2025, as it maintains its position as the world’s largest agri-food exporter. The European Commission claims these results demonstrate the bloc’s export resilience despite global trade volatility.

Record EU agri-food exports in 2025 highlight the strength of the bloc’s agricultural sector, but the figures also reveal rising price pressures on key food and beverage ingredients. 

Rising global prices for cocoa, coffee, and dairy boosted export values, while falling olive oil prices and declining wine and cereal volumes point to shifting dynamics that could impact sourcing strategies for food manufacturers, brands, distributors, and the foodservice sector.

Key market growth offsets declines in US and China 

The commission says the EU has a well-diversified portfolio of export markets worldwide, but the UK remained the top destination for EU agri-food products in 2025, representing 23% of EU exports, totaling €55.6 billion (US$64 billion).

Meanwhile, exports to the US and China declined last year. 

EU exports include many different kinds of agricultural and food products. These exports are diversified across many categories, and not dominated by only a few products.

The continued interest in high-quality EU agri-food offerings also demonstrates the potential opportunities for European brands to expand internationally.

Higher global commodity prices drove a marked increase in the export value of cocoa products, coffee, chocolate, and dairy, boosting overall returns from these categories.

By contrast, olive oil export revenues declined as international prices softened, offsetting any gains from trade volumes.

Exports to the Western Balkans and Türkiye have also continued to progress, reaching 9% of EU exports in 2025, up from 6% in 2022. The share of China and Hong Kong in EU exports declined to 6% in 2025, down from a high of 11% in 2021.

EU agri-food imports hit record levels amid rising prices

EU imports increased to a record €188.6 billion (US$216.8 billion), up 9% from 2024. According to the commission, this growth was driven by higher import prices, which rose on average by 10% during the year. 

Coffee, tea, cocoa, and spices were the EU’s largest import category last year, accounting for a significant share of the increase in EU imports. Fruit and nut imports also increased, while import prices for oilseeds and protein crops, as well as imported volumes of cereals, decreased. 

Imports from Sub-Saharan Africa, Canada, Vietnam, and the US increased, while imports from Ukraine declined.

EU strengthens position amid global export declines

Trade with free trade agreement partners represented a majority of both EU exports (61%) and imports (57%) in 2025. Among the five largest agri-food exporters (EU, US, Brazil, China, Canada), the EU is the only exporter to have increased the value of its exports in 2025.

US exports declined by 7% to €157.0 billion (US$180.4 billion), Brazil exports declined by 1% to €132.7 billion (US$152.5 billion), China exports declined by 3% to €74.5 billion (US$85.6 billion), and Canada exports dropped 6% to €60.0 billion (US$69 billion).