GEFA: German agriproduct exports to third countries flourish in first half of 2013

According to preliminary data released by the federal statistical office Destatis, 2013 first half year German agriproduct and food exports were worth € 31.6 bn, the highest half year figure ever. German Export Association for Food and Agriproducts GEFA e V reported this was 4.5% up on the previous year. Exports to third countries have continued to grow fast, totalling over € 7.5 bn (+ 5.2%) in the first half of 2013.

Particularly strong were exports to Asian countries outside ASEAN (+ 4.2%, € 2.1 bn), the EFTA region (+ 8.9%, € 1.2 bn) and Africa (+ 39%, € 0.8 bn). EU 27 exports continue to recover, climbing 4.2%. A glance at the countries worst affected by the current economic crisis reveals only exports to Spain (- 6.1%) and Portugal (- 13.3%) declined, while shipments to Greece (+ 3.7%) and Italy (+ 2.4%) were up. In terms of volume, exports to EU 27 countries increased 0.5% – the first rise in some time. Despite continued economic instability, demand for high end agriproducts and food from Germany remains high. Heading the list of top third country export markets was once again Switzerland (+ 7.1%), followed by Russia (- 12.6%) and the USA (+ 2.4%). The steep decline in shipments to Russia was the result of the stringent veterinary restrictions introduced March this year.

Apart from the „big three“, the following markets also delivered remarkable results: Saudi Arabia, now ranking fourth (+ 205%, € 0.46 bn), up from seventh in 2008, while shipments to fifth-placed China – formerly ranked 21st – rose 788% (€ 0.43 bn). South Korea leapt up 12 places to become tenth most significant third country (+ 214%, € 0.15 bn).

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