In a recent report, the EU confirms its position as largest global exporter of agri-food products for yet another year, with EU exports reaching €138 billion in 2018.
Agriculture products represent a solid share of 7% of the value of EU total goods exported in 2018. Agriculture and the food-related industries and services together provide almost 44 million jobs in the EU. The food production and processing chain accounts for 7.5% of employment and 3.7% of total value added in the EU.
Phil Hogan, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development: “The increasingly market-oriented Common Agricultural Policy has made a decisive contribution to the EU's success in agricultural trade. The EU's reputation for having safe, sustainably produced, nutritious and quality products is a winning formula in the global marketplace. The Commission is here to assist producers in taking full advantage of opportunities around the globe, while always making sure that our more sensitive sectors are provided with sufficient safeguards.”
The top five destinations for EU's agri-food products continues to be the United States, China, Switzerland, Japan and Russia, accounting for 40% of EU exports. In addition to negotiating trade agreements that provide further opportunities for EU farmers, the European Commission helps EU exporters to enter new markets and benefit from business possibilities through promotion activities, including high-level missions led by Commissioner Hogan. In 2018 and 2019, Commissioner Hogan accompanied by EU producers travelled to China, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
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Source: europa.eu