Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 23 ISSUE 2
Written by Agatha POPESCU, Cristina TINDECHE, Alina MARCUTA, Liviu MARCUTA, Adelaida HONTUS, Mirela STANCIU

The paper analyzed the EU agri-food trade based on Eurostat data in the period 2013-2022 in order establish in what measure its commerce is efficient in terms of total trade, export, import, coverage ratio, trade-to GDP, export ratio, net export, share of groups of products in export and import value, growth rate and regression equations. The results highlighted an increase in agricultural output value by 33.77% which enhanced export. The total agri-food trade increased by +61.3% in the analyzed interval, accounting for Euro 424.6 Billion in 2022. Export value reached Euro 229.1 Billion in 2022, being by 58% higher, while import value raised by 65.53%, attaining Euro 195.5 Billion. Net exports were positive and varied between Euro 25.6 Billion in 2015 and Euro 46.9 Billion, the peak attained in 2021. Also, the coverage ratio was over 100% in the whole interval. The exported amounts were higher than the imported ones till 2016, but then imports exceeded exports, except the year 2021. The average export price was superior to the average import price every year. In the analyzed interval, the average export price increased by 37.13%, while import price by 25.71%. Export ratio was over 100 ranging between 119 in 2015, 131 in 2020 and 117 in 2022. The variations in export and import quantities and values produced changes in the share of the groups of products reflecting that in 2022, the hierarchy for export was: Foodstuffs, Animal products, Vegetal products, Fats and Oils, and for import: Vegetal products, Food stuffs, Animal products and Fats and oils. A positive trade balance and coverage ratio over 100 were found in case of Animal products and Food stuffs, and a negative trade balance and a coverage ratio below 100 was registered for Vegetal products and Fats and oils. Agri-food export accounted for 42.9% in agricultural output value in 2022, but the peak was 44.6% in 2018. The regression equation Y = 0.5259 X - 46.0376 shows that an increase by Euro 1 Billion in agricultural output value could raise export value by Euro 0.52 Billion. This research work highlighted the high efficiency in the agri-food trade of the EU in the period 2013-2022. To preserve its position of world leader in agri-food trade, the EU has to continue its CAP reforms oriented to a high performance from an economic, social, environment and food security point of view.

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