In this article, we will look at the16 biggest food exporters in Europe with insights into factors like the value of food exports, and the growth rate. For a quick overview of the 5 biggest food exporters in Europe, read our article 5 biggest food exporters in Europe.
European countries are known for their delicious food and export billions of dollars annually. From France's cheese and wine to Italy's pasta and pizza, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Europe's food export to the world has driven the economy of the continent. European nations, renowned for their culinary traditions and stringent quality standards, have forged a global reputation for producing premium food products. Since the start of 2022, the European Union has reached a total of €369 billion in agri-food trade, 23% more than they did during the same time in 2021 (from January to November). These exports encompass diverse goods, from fine wines and cheeses to chocolates, olive oils, and processed foods.
Moreover, the European Union (EU) is a major global food and beverage market player. It tops the charts as the world's largest food and drink product exporter and the second-largest importer. Europe's food industry takes the lead in exporting processed agricultural products (PAPs), and it manages to maintain a favorable trade balance. However, over the last decade, Europe's share of the global export market has been on the decline, with Brazil and China emerging as strong competitors in the field.
Netherlands has emerged as a global exemplar by utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as vertical farming, innovative seed technology, and robotics. Through these advancements, the country has positioned itself as a leading model in global agricultural production and export, demonstrating the potential for sustainable and efficient farming practices. Netherlands has nearly 24,000 acres of crops flourishing within its extensive greenhouse facilities, an area nearly twice the size of Manhattan. These greenhouses in the Netherlands are super-efficient. They can produce as much on one acre as it would take 10 acres of regular farming. Dutch farms use just half a gallon of water to grow a pound of tomatoes, while the worldwide average is more than 28 gallons.
Furthermore, Ukraine is a major global supplier of staple grains, such as wheat, corn, and barley. Russia's invasion has severely disrupted the country's agricultural sector, threatening food security worldwide. In 2021, Ukraine's agricultural exports totaled over $27 billion, accounting for 41% of the country's total exports. The World Food Program (WFP), a United Nations humanitarian organization, receives 40% of its wheat from Ukraine.
The European Union (EU) and its member states are the largest providers of development aid globally. In June 2022, EU countries supported a $8.57 billion commitment for 2020-2024 to help address the increasing and urgent food security needs. This commitment is part of the EU's broader efforts to boost global food security. EU countries also significantly contribute to global food security by exporting much of their agricultural production to developing nations. Over half of the EU's wheat exports go to Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria) and Asia (Pakistan). The EU's food security commitment is a welcome step in addressing hunger and malnutrition worldwide.
A Look into the European Union Food Industry
Mondelez International Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) is a global snacks company that produces and markets food and beverages, including cookies, crackers, chocolate, candy, gum, and cheese, with net revenues of approximately $31.5 billion in 2022. Mondelez International Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) generates two-thirds of its revenue from developed markets and one-third from emerging markets, with the latter growing at over 12%. The company has 133 manufacturing plants on five continents and employs approximately 79,000 worldwide.
Nestlé (OTCMKTS:NSRGY) is a Swiss multinational food and drink company in Europe. The company's products are sold under various brands, including Nescafé, Nespresso, KitKat, Maggi, and Stouffer's. In 2021, total reported sales rose by 3.3% to CHF 87.1 billion, with a 1.3% reduction due to foreign exchange effects. Nestlé (OTCMKTS:NSRGY) expects organic sales growth of 6% to 8% in 2023, with 17.0% to 17.5% as underlying trading operating profit margin.
Diageo Plc (LON:DGE) is a British multinational alcoholic beverage company headquartered in London. The company's products are sold under various brands, including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Guinness, Baileys, and Captain Morgan. Diageo Plc (LON:DGE) is constantly developing new products and services to meet the needs of its customers and is committed to reducing its environmental impact and improving the lives of its stakeholders. In 2022, Diageo Plc's (LON:DGE) revenue was £20.56 billion, and its annual EPS was 21.85% more than as of 2021, i.e. £5.93. In 2022, Diageo sold 5.4 billion units of alcohol, and its retail sales value in the global alcohol market was $1.17 trillion.
Europe's Biggest Food Exporters
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Methodology
To rank the 16 biggest food exporters in Europe, we used two metrics, i.e., Value of Food Exports and Growth in Value of Food Exports (2021-2022). The data has been taken from Observatory of Economic Complexity.
We calculated average of both metrics and then ranked 16 biggest food exporters in Europe in descending order from 16 to 1 (based on average results), with 1 representing the biggest food exporter and 16 representing the lowest food exporter on our list.
With these details in mind, let's look at the 16 biggest food exporters of Europe.
Biggest Food Exporters of Europe
Romania
Food Export Value of 2021 (USD Billion): 3.32
Food export is a major part of Romania's economy. 2.9 million agricultural landowners in Romania account for one-third of the EU's agricultural holdings. 23% of Romanians are employed in agriculture, compared to the EU average of 4.9%. 70% of Romania's agri-food exports go to the EU. Major food imports 2018 were meat, edible fruits, protein meals, and dairy. Major exports were grains, oilseeds, live animals, and fats.
Portugal
Food Export Value of 2021 (USD Billion): 4.64
In 2021, Portugal's primary export destinations for food products were Spain, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Portugal's food and beverage exports encompass diverse items, including canned fish (including sardines and tuna), olive oil, wine, dairy products (including cheese), pastries, and preserved fruits. Portugal's exports of meat, fish, and seafood preparations totaled $403.83 million in 2022.
Sweden
Food Export Value of 2021 (USD Billion): 4.82
Swedish exports are concentrated in several key markets, with Denmark, Finland, Norway, and the United States being the largest individual destinations.
Hungary
Food Export Value of 2021 (USD Billion): 5.4
Hungary's agricultural trade balance is in surplus. Agricultural exports comprised 8.9% of the country's total exports in 2021. Hungary's total land area dedicated to arable land and permanent crops encompasses 4.3 million hectares (ha), with approximately 120 thousand ha under irrigation.
Czechia
Food Export Value of 2021 (USD Billion): 5.66
The agri-food sector is pivotal in the Czech Republic's economy, with farms spanning 44% of the country's land area. Key export products include milk, livestock, grains, sugar, and malt.
Switzerland
Food Export Value of 2021 (USD Billion): 5.82
In 2022, food exports from Switzerland accounted for 2.6% of total merchandise exports. Although Switzerland's food exports have fluctuated substantially recently, they have generally declined from 1973 to 2022.
Denmark
Food Export Value of 2021 (USD Billion): 7.52
Denmark is the sole country in the Nordic-Baltic region, boasting a surplus in agricultural product exports, producing three times its domestic food requirements.
Greece
Food Export Value of 2021 (USD Billion): 6.73
Greek food product exports surged by 10.6% in 2020, reaching a total value of $7 billion. Greece exports food to many countries, but its top five export destinations are Italy, Germany, Turkey, Cyprus, and Bulgaria. Particularly, cheese, table olives, olive oil, and cotton constitute the core Greek exports, making up 28.7% of the total product exports in value.
Austria
Food Export Value of 2021 (USD Billion): 10.5
In 2021, Austria's agricultural and related products imports amounted to $21.1 billion, while its exports reached $23.6 billion.
United Kingdom
Food Export Value of 2021 (USD Billion): 19
In 2022, United Kingdom food and beverage exports achieved unprecedented heights, surpassing pre-pandemic levels across most categories.
Spain
Food Export Value of 2021 (USD Billion): 21.3
Spain is net seafood exporter and it reached a record high of $5.9 billion in 2022, up 3.4% from 2021. The Spanish food industry is the top export sector, accounting for 22% of GDP. Olive oil, wine, canned foods, and cheese are the best sellers, especially in the EU. Spanish agri-food and fishing exports increased by 2.7%.
