The EU's agri-food sector has had "another record-breaking year" in 2025, according to the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI).

The latest data released by the directorate shows that surplus is "roughly four times higher than in 2002", and that the EU continues to be a net exporter in most agri-food categories.

Agri-food exports climbed to €238.4 billion in 2025, a 1% increase compared to 2024 (€2.8 billion).

This means the EU has maintained its position as the world's largest agri-food exporter, DG AGRI said.

It also still stands out as the only exporter among the global top five - EU, US, Brazil, China and Canada - to increase the overall value of exports over the year.

According to DG AGRI, exports were strong throughout the year, exceeding 2024 levels in every month except August and November.

Overall export prices remain high, peaking in early 2025 before gradually easing. On average, export prices remained stable year-on-year.

The UK is still the leading destination for EU agri-food products. in contrast, exports to the US and China has declined.

However, the EU has maintained a well-diversified portfolio of export markets across the world.

Agri-food categories

Product diversification also remains a strength with EU agri-food exports continued to be distributed across a large set of product categories in all product classes.

Cereals, dairy products and wine led the export basket with higher global prices significantly boosting the value of cocoa products, coffee, chocolate and dairy exports.

By contrast, olive oil exports declined in value due to lower prices, while exported volumes of wine and cereals also fell.

Agri-food exports represented 9% of total EU exports in 2025, amounting to €2.6 trillion, underlining the sector’s strategic economic importance.

Imports

According to the report, EU agri-food imports also grew, reaching a record €188.6 billion, increasing 9% (€16.2 billion) compared to 2024.

This growth was primarily driven by growing import prices, which went up on average by 10% during the year.  

Agri-food imports accounted for 7.5% of total EU imports in 2025 (€2.5 trillion).

Coffee, tea, cocoa, and spices remained the most imported product category by the EU in 2025 and drove most of the increase in EU imports, as prices of cocoa and coffee reached record levels.

Fruits and nut import costs also increased, however the import prices of oilseeds and protein crops declined, as well as imported volumes of cereals.

The origin of EU imports has stayed well diversified in 2025 with imports from Sub-Saharan Africa, Canada, Vietnam and the US increased, while those from Ukraine declined.

Narrowing in surplus

According to the report, the stronger growth in imports led to a contraction of the EU’s agri-food trade surplus, which fell to €49.9 billion, some €13.3 billion lower than in 2024.

It should be remembered that the EU remains in surplus for most products, DG AGRI said.

Trade with free trade agreement (FTA) partners remained central to performance.

In 2025, 61% of EU agri-food exports and 57% of imports involved FTA partners, demonstrating the essential nature and growing importance of these agreements.

This underlines the significance of two decades of expanding agreements and faster average trade growth with these countries.