In 2021, there was an increase in goods exported from the EU to Africa (+EUR 4 billion)21 billion compared with 2020) as well as an increase in goods imported to the EU from Africa (+EUR 41 billion compared with 2020). Thus, the EU recorded a trade in goods surplus with Africa of EUR 4 billion, which was the lowest since 2014.
Since 2014, the EU has had a trade in goods surplus with Africa, peaking at EUR 33 billion in 2016. However, this surplus fell to EUR 8 billion in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, exports fell by EUR 20 billion while imports fell by EUR 35 billion, which increased the trade surplus to EUR 24 billion.
In 2021, 21 EU Member States had a trade in goods surplus with Africa. It was highest in Belgium (EUR 6 billion). Other countries whose trade surplus was higher than EUR 1 billion were Czechia, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Romania and Sweden. The two countries with the largest trade in goods deficits with Africa were Spain (EUR 9 billion) and Italy (EUR 6 billion).
This article is being published on the occasion of the European Union – African Union summit. The summit presents a unique opportunity to lay the foundations for a renewed and deeper AU-EU partnership.
For more information:
- Eurostat Statistics Explained article on Africa-EU – international trade in goods statistics
- Eurostat overview on international trade in goods
- Eurostat database on international trade in goods