Trends in Alberta Agri-Food Exports, No. 11 - Alberta Exports to European Union (EU 28) Countries 2005-2014

• Alberta is an export oriented province contributing to the economy an average of $8.5 billion annually (2010-2014) from exports of agricultural and food products (agri-food) to all countries.

• In 2014, over 74 per cent ($7.2 billion) of Alberta agri-food exports were destined to Alberta’s top five markets: the United States, Japan, China, Mexico and South Korea.

• Trade agreements and negotiations are very important for Canada and Alberta to stay competitive in global trade and increase market access for our agri-food products.

• On September 26, 2014, Canada and European Union (EU) signed a joint declaration of the completion of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and now  is closed to any changes. 

• CETA presents Canadian agriculture with opportunities to reduce barriers to trade and provide greater access for exporters to the EU 28 countries. The largest EU export markets for Alberta are Italy, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany and Netherlands.

• In 2014, Alberta agri-food exports to the EU 28 grew 25.5% to $306 million and accounted for 3.2% of the total ($9.7 billion). On average (2010-2014), Alberta exported to the EU region 3.3% of agri-food products. In 2014, as in the previous year, wheat accounted for over half of Alberta's exports to the EU. Other top exports were prepared animal feed, horse meat, whiskey, bovine semen and canola seed.

• Alberta agri-food imports from EU 28 are generally higher than exports and represented almost 14.0% of its total (2010-2014). In 2014, the province imported $366 million worth of products or 13.4% of the total imports ($2.7 billion). The 2014 imports from EU were 8.0 % higher than in 2013. The largest imports were beverages such as wines, liquors, beer, whiskey , prepared cereals and various food and food ingredients.