EU Agri Food Trade Surplus Reaches €30.1 Billion as Cocoa Imports Fall

The European Union's agri food trade surplus reached €30.1 billion in the first seven months of 2026, €2.9 billion higher than in the same period last year, according to the European Commission's latest monthly trade report released on September 28.

Cumulative exports from January through July totalled €138.7 billion, down €1.6 billion, or 1 percent, from the same period in 2025. The overall surplus increased because imports fell more sharply than exports.

EU agri food imports reached €108.6 billion, down €4.5 billion, or 4 percent, year on year. One of the biggest factors was a sharp decline in import values for coffee, tea, cocoa and spices, which fell by €4.8 billion, or 19 percent.

The Commission said cocoa prices are now around half their spring 2025 peak. Imports from Côte d'Ivoire fell by €1.2 billion, or 21 percent, while import values from Cameroon and Nigeria both declined by 46 percent.

Not every import flow weakened. Imports from Brazil increased by €528 million, or 5 percent, mainly because of higher soybean volumes. Imports from Argentina rose by €240 million, or 8 percent, driven by sunflower seeds.

Export performance also varied widely by destination and product. Exports to Egypt increased by €251 million, or 22 percent, mainly because of wheat, while exports to Ukraine rose by €239 million and exports to Türkiye by €235 million.

By product, exports of coffee, tea, cocoa and spices declined by €1.3 billion, or 16 percent. Pigmeat and olives and olive oil also recorded significant decreases, while exports of other animal products increased by €549 million and spirits and liqueurs rose by €470 million.

For commodity traders and food manufacturers, the July data show that the stronger EU trade balance is being driven more by lower import values than by export expansion. Cocoa prices, soybean and sunflower seed flows and wheat demand in nearby markets are among the main variables shaping that result.