"By the end of 2018, the agricultural exports of the EU reached a volume of 138 billion euros. Agricultural products account for 7 per cent of the total value of the goods that were exported from the EU in 2018, and occupy the fourth position, behind the machinery, other industrial products and chemical products", – stated in the message.

Agricultural industry, food industry and related services together create about 44 million jobs in the EU. Food production and processing give 7.5 per cent of the total number of jobs in the labour market.

In the report the Commission identified five most important areas of European exports of agricultural products: the United States, China, Switzerland, Japan and Russia. These countries account for 40 percent of total agricultural exports of the EU. In the basket of exported products are dominated by wine, on the second place – alcoholic beverages and alcoholic products. Next in importance is the export of products for children, condiments, chocolate and pasta.

During this same period, the EU remained the second largest importer of agricultural products, with total imports amounting to 116 billion euros. Thus, agricultural exports to the EU 22 billion more than imports, which ensures a positive trade balance in this sector of the economy.

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