EU cereal exports down in first half of year

While the value of EU agri-food exports increased 2% overall in the January-July period compared to the previous year, the value of cereals exports dropped by 20% in the same time frame, according to the EU Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development.

EU exports reached €20.7 billion ($23.8 billion) in July, an increase of 8% on the previous month and stable compared to July 2024.

Since January, cumulative EU exports reached €139.4 billion, which is 2% higher than in the same period in 2024.

EU cereals exports decreased by €1.6 billion (down 20%) in January-July 2025 compared to 2024 to a total of €6.1 billion. This is due primarily to a 23% drop in export volumes, particularly for wheat and maize.

Exports to the UK had the largest increase, while exports to China decreased by 8% in the January-July period, when compared with a year ago. This is mainly explained by a strong reduction in cereal exports, the report said.

Exports to Thailand also declined by 28%, in part due to lower exports of cereals, and hides and skins.

EU imports increased by 5% month on month in July, reaching €16.1 billion. They remain 10% higher than in July 2024. Until July 2025, cumulative imports reached €113 billion, up 15% compared with the same period in 2024, reflecting high import prices, in particular for cocoa and coffee, as well as fruit and nuts.

Tags: China, exports, EU, UK, Thailand, imports, Cereals