Drop in cereal imports factors in lower EU agri-food trade

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — The European Union saw agri-food imports drop in August, in part due to a contraction in cereals and dairy products and lower prices for cocoa, according to a report from the European Commission.

Total imports for August reached €13.9 billion ($15 billion), a drop of 9% from the previous month and 3% below last year. Cumulative 2026 imports declined by 4% year on year.

Imports of cereals fell 10% to €5.48 billion mostly due to reductions in wheat (down €548 million, or 34%, mostly in volumes) and rice (down €212 million, or 16%, in volumes and prices).

Exports for the month totaled €19 billion, a drop of 11% from the previous month but 7% higher than August 2025. Cumulative exports in 2026 were stable year on year.

Exports contracted particularly for cocoa paste, butter and powder, pigmeat and olive oil. These decreases were compensated by increases across several product categories, including other animal products, spirits and liqueurs, vegetable oils, non-edible for technical use, and fruit and nuts.

The EU agri-food trade surplus decreased by 14% month on month in August, to €5.1 billion, however it remained 45% above August 2025.

The cumulative surplus in the first eight months of 2026 widened to €34.7 billion, €4.1 billion more than a year before, supported by falling cocoa prices.

IC UAC according to World Grain