This article examines the role of food in the external trade of the Member States of the European Union. The paper is based on literature and data collected from international databases of the World Bank, EUROSTAT and the Statista service. A statistical-descriptive analysis method was applied to the data on export volumes and their structure, as well as to the comparison of gravity index values and their deviations. The results of the research indicate an upward trend in food trade between EU countries. Between 2000 and 2022, the value of the intarnal market of EU food trade tripled. Four product groups play a dominant role in intra-EU trade: meat products, dairy products, cereals and fruit and vegetables. On the other hand, the Benelux countries, Germany and France have the largest trade flows. Belgium is an exporter with a significant role in trade for all the main food groups. The main intra-EU trade flows take place mainly between the closest neighbours.