European Union: agro-food exports increased in 2017
According to the latest monthly trade report of the European Commission, in 2017, the value of EU agri-food exports reached USD 155.786 million (EUR 137.900 million), with an increase of 5,1% with respect to 2016.
In terms of markets, the United States, Russia and several Asian markets remain the most dynamic for the growth of EU agri-food exports. Sales to the United States increased by 6% and to Russia, an 16%. Exports to Japan grew by 11%, 5% by China, 10% by Hong Kong and 13% by South Korea.
The wine, pet food and liquor sectors had an excellent performance in terms of exports in the last 12 months, growing 12%, 17% and 5%, respectively. On the contrary, exports of pork, wheat and other cereals declined.
EU agri-food imports also increased, but at a slower pace than exports, which means that the trade balance of agri-food products remains positive, with an export surplus of USD 23.159 million (EUR 20.500 million).
Comment
According to data from the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa), with information from the National Customs Service, agro-food and forestry exports to the European Union were USD 2.774,5 million in 2017, an 7% more than in 2016, with a participation of an 18% with respect to the total exported by Chile in 2017, after China (23%) and the United States (20%).
Chile's agri-food and forestry imports from the EU were USD 738,9 million, resulting in a positive trade balance, with an export surplus of USD 2.035,6 million.
After an intense week of work, on Friday 19 of January concluded the first round of negotiations for the modernization of the Association Agreement (AA) Chile - European Union. The meeting that began on Monday's 15 in January was led by Chile's chief negotiator, Pablo Urria and Matthias Jorgensen, its EU counterpart. The official announcement of this process was made last November, at a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, led by the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Edgardo Riveros and by the Executive Director for the Americas of the European External Action Service, Edita Hrdá.
Pablo Urria, director of Bilateral Economic Affairs of the Directorate General of International Economic Relations (Direcon) and Chile's chief negotiator, made a positive assessment of the meeting, noting that most of the texts that will begin to be negotiated were put on the table. Another issue highlighted by the negotiating heads of both delegations was the reference to the incorporation of new issues in the modernization process, such as environmental, labor, gender and trade, among others, which will make it possible to reach an agreement at the end of the negotiations. face the current challenges of international trade.
Source: European Commission - Odepa - Direcon
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