Continued upswing in trade with ACP countries

The overall trade in goods (sum of imports and exports) between the EU-27 and the 79 countries making up the ACP group of countries (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) was valued at €143.9 billion in 2008. This represents an increase of 14% compared to 2007 and a 57% increase compared to 2001. EU-27 trade with ACP countries has increased at a very steady pace since 2004, the value of imports being slightly higher than that of exports throughout the period observed. In 2008 however, the value of EU-27 imports increased faster than that of exports, resulting in a growing trade deficit (€8.0 billion against €1.8 billion in 2007). South Africa is clearly the most important partner among the ACP group, in terms of EU-27 imports and exports. Nigeria and Angola follow at a considerable distance. The Caribbean and Pacific ACP countries combined have a share of around 10%. In 2008, 47% of all EU-27 imports from ACP countries consisted of mineral fuels (mainly from Nigeria and Angola). EU-27 exports were dominated by machinery and transport equipment, with a share of 46%.