EU Agri-food trade in 2020 report and Africa

EU Agri-food trade in 2020 report (35 p.)

8 September 2021. 2020 marked EU's leading position among the world's biggest exporters of agri-food products. On the import side, the EU has become the third largest importer after the United States and China.

With total EU agri-food exports valued at € 17.6 billion and imports valued at € 16.5 billion in 2020, African countries are important destinations for EU exports (9.5% of all EU agri-food exports) and origin for its imports (7% of total EU agri-food imports), although with very different trade pattern across African regions and countries, for instance for North Africa or the Sub Saharan countries. 

(page 28) 

Looking at different classes of products , EU exports to Africa are dominated by ‘commodities’ with a

44% share. Important shares also represent food preparations (21%) and other primary products (17%). Processed food account for 8%, while beverages and non-edible products- 5% each. By contrast, in the basket of EU imports from African countries, ‘commodities’ dominate together with ‘other primary products’ and account for 43% and 38% of EU agri-food purchases, respectively. Nonedible products (11%) and processed food (7%) follow in the list. Food preparations account for only 2%, while imports of beverages are minimal. (page 29) 

The basket of EU agri-food exports to Africa is clearly dominated by wheat with a share of 23%. Infant food and other cereals as well as milk powders and whey follow in the list with shares 7-8%, each. Food preparations, rapeseed and sunflower oils account for a similar share of 5%, each. Out of remaining agrifood exports, important products include poultry meat, vegetables, live animals, pet food, and coarse grains – each accounting for a share of around 3%. (page 29) 

The basket of EU agri-food imports to Africa is clearly dominated by cocoa beans, mainly from West Africa, with a share of 23% (graph 40). Fruit and vegetables follow in the list with shares 10%, each. Cocoa paste and powder as well as tropical fruit account for a similar share of 9%, each. Out of remaining agri-food imports, important products include citrus fruit, unroasted coffee, tea in bulk, cut flowers and plants, raw tobacco, olive oil – each accounting for shares ranging between 3-7%. (page 30)