EU-27 consistent world leader in trade of food and drink

The European Union is by far the major world player in both imports and exports of food and drink. Food and drink made up 5.2% of both imports and exports for the EU-27 in 2008. The value of EU-27 food and drink exports rose by 10.2% between 2007 and 2008, compared to a rise in imports of 6.1% over the same period. The United States was the most important trading partner for EU-27 exports in 2008. Together, the United States and Russia accounted for just over a quarter of EU-27 exports. For EU-27 imports, however, Brazil and Argentina were the main trading partners, accounting together for just over a fifth of EU-27 imports in 2008. France remained the largest contributor to EU-27 food and drink exports, with around one fifth of the total extra EU-27 trade. However, the greatest growth in exports between 2000 and 2008 was registered by Estonia, Romania, Lithuania and especially by Latvia, with a growth of almost 35% per year on average.