With a trade surplus of �4.5 billion, the downward trend of the EU food and drink industry trade balance, registered since 2000, was halted in 2005 thanks to the relatively good performance of exports in certain sectors. Exports grew by 5.2% in 2005, the highest recorded annual increase since 2000. Meanwhile, imports of food and drink products grew less than in 2004.

"Exports of food and drink products amounted to �47.6 billion in 2005," says Jean Martin, President of CIAA. With 22% of all EU exports, the US is the number one customer for European food and drink industries. For the first time, Russia is the second country of destination, overtaking Japan. Among the main countries of destination, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) recorded the highest growth rate for the second time (+12% in 2005 and + 13% in 2004). It is worth noting that exports to China increased by an impressive 24% in 2005 to reach almost �800 million.

Imports of food and drink products recorded a 5.5% growth rate in 2005 and amounted to �43 billion. Imports from Mediterranean countries, the CIS, and the Andean Group grew significantly. On the other hand, imports from Mercosur remained at the same level as in 2004. After several years of stagnation, Chinese food and drink imports exceeded �2 billion, further to a 29% increase in 2005.

EU sales of beverages remain the leading sector of the food and drink industry. After years of uneven performance, exports of wines and spirits recorded growth rates of 5% and 9% respectively. Sales of soft drinks also grew significantly and reached �1.1 billion. Meanwhile, the chocolate, biscuits and confectionary sector experienced a decrease in its trade surplus in 2005 (lowest surplus since 2000), due to the stagnation of its exports and a regular increase of imports.

Preliminary trends for 2006
In the first four months of 2006, exports registered strong growth and were up 14% with respect to the same period in 2005, mostly due to increased sales of foodstuffs such as wines, soft drinks and chocolate. Imports showed a similar trend, up 13% over the same period last year.

*These figures are published in CIAA`s Annual Report on extra-EU25 trade statistics