European Union (EU) imports of agricultural products and food from Vietnam increased by 9% in value during the first 5 months of 2026, driven primarily by an increase in exported coffee volumes.

This is one of the prominent bright spots in the latest agricultural trade report released by the European Commission (EC) on July 30.

According to a VNA correspondent in Brussels, the overall picture shows that the EU's agricultural trade surplus reached 19.4 billion EUR in the first 5 months of the year, up 1 billion EUR compared to the same period in 2025, even though both exports and imports decreased in total value.

Regarding exports, turnover reached 96.9 billion EUR, down 3% compared to the same period last year. Two main causes leading to the decline were cocoa prices plummeting sharply (down 45%), dragging exports to the United Kingdom—traditionally the EU's largest market—down by 3%; and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, causing exports to the United Arab Emirates to drop by up to 28%, while negatively impacting other Gulf nations. The positive point was that exports to Egypt rose sharply by 36% thanks to wheat, and exports to Ukraine increased by 11%, with the highest increase seen in spirits commodities.

Regarding imports, total turnover decreased by 5% down to 77.5 billion EUR, primarily as imports of cocoa products, cereals, and oilseeds all contracted, pulling down imports from major cocoa-producing countries in Africa including Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Guinea. Within the import picture, Vietnam and Argentina emerged as rare bright spots, wherein imports from Argentina increased by 10% thanks to sunflower seeds, while imports from Vietnam increased by 9% thanks to coffee. The fruits and nuts group also recorded a 4% increase in value.

The European Commission evaluated that EU agricultural trade "maintains resilience" amid numerous geopolitical and market volatilities, with the expanding trade surplus reflecting the adaptability and sustainable competitiveness of the bloc's agricultural sector.

Source: Bao Tin tuc va Dan toc - TTXVN