Europe and the international trade in agricultural and food products, 1870–2000

Between 1870 and 2000, international trade in food and agricultural raw materials underwent unprecedented growth, in which Europe played a key role. This long period may be divided into two distinct stages. In the first of these, lasting until the Second World War, agricultural and food trade grew at a very similar rate to that of total trade. In the second period, however, its relative growth, both in terms of volume and value, was considerably lower, meaning that by the end of the period it represented a very minor part of trade as a whole.