Austrian export-import balance positive for the first time

Austria exported more food than it imported for the first time, last year. Austrian food sales to Hungary grew by 22 per cent last year, while Hungarian export to Austria shrunk by 5 per cent. A year before, both Austrian and Hungarian exports to the other country showed expansion. Hungarian market positions improved in dairy products, with the exception of cheese (plus 64 per cent) and livestock export (plus 28 per cent). On the other hand, Hungarian positions weakened in fresh meat (minus 16 per cent), processed fruits and vegetables (minus 24 per cent), cheese (minus 9 per cent), and fresh fruits and vegetables (minus 3 and minus 2 per cent). Hungarian export of meat products increased by 47 per cent, but Austrian export grew by 73 per cent. Austrian food sales to Hungary grew by: 111 per cent for fresh fruits, 58 per cent for cheese, 53 per cent for fresh vegetables, 29 per cent for processed fruits and vegetables, 6 per cent for dairy products and 5 per cent for fresh meat. Total Austrian food exports were near EUR 6,6 billion last year, which is 10 per cent more than a year before, while imports amounted to only EUR 6,46 billion, showing a growth of 3 per cent. Germany continues to be the largest market for Austrian products. Agrarmarkt Austria is an organisation like AMC in Hungary which provides marketing support for agricultural businesses.