EU agri-food trade surplus hits highest level in over a year

Brussels – The EU’s agri-food trade surplus increased significantly in October 2025 to 6.4 billion euros, according to the latest report released by the European Commission. This represents an increase of 18% compared to September and is the highest monthly surplus in over a year, 19% higher than in October 2024. 

In October 2025, EU agri-food exports climbed to a record 20.7 billion euros, an increase of 7% compared to September and 1% higher than in October 2024. By October, cumulative exports for 2025 came to 199.4 billion euros, up 3.1 billion euros (+2%) compared to the same period last year.

Export growth continued to be driven primarily by high prices for cocoa-based products and coffee. 

At the same time, exports of cereals declined, reflecting lower volumes. EU agri-food imports amounted to 15.4 billion euros in October 2025, 4% higher than in September but 5% lower than in October 2024.

Despite the year-on-year decline in October, cumulative imports between January and October reached 157.4 billion euros, an increase of 15.5 billion (+11%) compared with the same period in 2024. Imports of beef and veal  went up by 596 million euros (+28%) during this period compared to the same time in 2024, due to both higher volumes (+17%) and prices (+9%).