Community Exports: Shipments to the UK decline

Since its exit from the European Union, the United Kingdom is considered a third country, a destination where community exports of fruits and vegetables declined in the new first months of the current year 2023.

Community exports of fresh fruits and vegetables to third countries decreased by 12% until September 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 and amounted to 5.1 million tons, data that contrasts with imports that grew by 6.1 million tons, 5%, and totaled 11.9 million. Tons.

The main non-EU destinations for EU fruits and vegetables are the Western European countries: United kingdomWhich is considered a third country since its exit from the European Union, Norway and Switzerland Where 2 million tons were exported in the case of the United Kingdom; 515,053 tons in the case of Switzerland and 245,084 tons in the case of Switzerland.

Another country on the European continent, but from Eastern Europe, also holds fourth place: Belarus, with 146,552 tons exported until September 2023. The next destination countries, in terms of volume, are: Senegal with 132,036 tons; Serbia with 119,916; India with 92,478 tons; Morocco with 86,376 tons; Egypt with 84,928 tons and Brazil with 79,242 tons.

in value, EU exports to third countries in the period analyzed rose by 5%, reaching 7,271 million euros.

Figures for community exports of fruits and vegetables to countries outside the European Union show a clear difference and imbalance compared to imports, according to FEPEX, as exports amount to 5.1 million tons, while imports reach 11.9 million tons. The same thing happens in terms of value, with the value of exports amounting to 7,271 million euros and the value of imports 13,907 million euros in the period analyzed.

Not only are imports more than double the community’s exports in terms of volume; The trend of community exports is decreasing and imports are increasing. EU sales outside the EU fell by 12% in January-September 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, while purchases and imports increased by 6.5%, according to the latest data updated by Eurostat, processed by Vibex.