Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
In 2023, EU exports of chemicals and related products fell to €523 billion, down 5% compared to the record high export value in 2022 (€552 billion). The value of chemical imports from non-EU countries to the EU fell by 10% to €326 billion, down from €363 billion the previous year.
The chemicals category includes products such as chemical materials and products, fertilizers, medical and pharmaceutical products, and plastics.
Among the EU countries, the top 5 exporters to non-EU countries were Germany (€130 billion), Belgium (€67 billion), Ireland (€64 billion), France (€52 billion), and the Netherlands (€45 billion).
The main destinations outside the EU were the United States (€139 billion), Switzerland (€56 billion), the United Kingdom (€48 billion), China (€40 billion), and Turkey (€17 billion).
In terms of imports of chemicals and related products, Germany was the largest importer from non-EU countries in 2023 (€55 billion), ahead of Belgium (€50 billion), the Netherlands (€43 billion), Italy (€29 billion) and France (€27 billion).