The Netherlands offers strong opportunities for exporters of spices and herbs. This is because it combines local demand with a large re-export role. Dutch buyers serve food manufacturers, spice blenders, foodservice suppliers, retailers and buyers in other European countries. The 6 spices with the best opportunities are curcuma, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom and cumin seeds. These products stand out because of their import volume, growth, Dutch share in EU imports and relevance for Dutch buyers.

Dutch food companies are looking for ingredients that help create tasty, recognisable and convenient products. Spices and herbs can support this, but suppliers need to offer stable quality, clean test results and full traceability.

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Eva van der Haar, chair of the Royal Dutch Spice Association

For Bresc, innovation is about translating international flavours into practical solutions for chefs, foodservice and industry. Herbs, spices and fresh flavour ingredients play an increasingly important role in this, because they make products distinctive and recognisable.

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Gert-Jan van der Wouden, NPD Manager at Bresc Produits Culinaires

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European buyers look closely at compliance, consistency and supply reliability when sourcing passion fruit juice. The best opportunities are often in industrial ingredient channels and in specialised import networks that understand tropical juice products well. At the same time, exporters face strong competition from established suppliers in Peru, Ecuador and Vietnam. Good positioning, stable quality, sufficient volumes and a competitive price strategy are therefore also essential for market entry.

Passion fruit’s unique value is that it delivers a very distinctive aromatic profile with a strong flavour impact even at relatively low inclusion rates. It combines acidity, freshness, and a recognisable tropical note that works extremely well. That is one reason it remains attractive in Europe even when prices are not low.

Bernhard Frei, CEO at Quicornac S.A.

The bottling industry modifies juice blends by changing recipes, and this is done with all flavours as soon as one becomes too expensive. In tropical multi-fruit juices, the industry can reduce the percentage of mango purée, pineapple juice or passion fruit juice. But with passion fruit juice there is a certain minimum that you always need, no matter what the price, due to its very strong and unique aroma.

Steffen Lafrenz, CEO at Steffen Lafrenz GmbH (STL Fruits)

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Europe offers good opportunities for passion fruit juice, mainly as an ingredient for blends, nectars, smoothies and flavour-led drinks. Concentrate remains the main way to sell this product, while not-from-concentrate (NFC) is becoming more popular in some markets, especially France. There will probably not be much growth in volume, but higher prices, premium uses and reduced-sugar product development support stronger growth in value.

One point I would highlight is that Europe’s passion fruit juice market should not be viewed only as a pure commodity market. It is also a quality-and-function market. Buyers often value consistent aroma, acidity, authenticity and reliable compliance as much as absolute price.

Bernhard Frei, CEO at Quicornac S.A.

Clearly there is room for other supplier countries to enter the European passion fruit juice market. There is space for more suppliers because price volatility is a problem in this market. So, whatever could smooth the price levels would help the market. The point is that the passion fruit plant itself is extremely sensitive, especially to water. Too much rain and the crop can be lost.

Steffen Lafrenz, CEO at Steffen Lafrenz GmbH (STL Fruits)

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Exporters who want to enter the European market for avocado pulp need to meet strict food safety, quality and sustainability requirements. They should also do regular laboratory testing and have recognised certification. You may have a competitive advantage if you can offer consistent quality, stable colour and texture, reliable shelf life and clear proof of responsible production. The strongest competition comes from established suppliers like Mexico, Peru, Colombia and South Africa.

The major quality objective is to produce avocado pulp, which is the same as fresh avocado pulp. The product needs to have the same sensory characteristics as scooped avocado and, like in fresh avocados, darkening is the most important defect to prevent. This can be prevented through strict control of raw materials, quick freezing or HPP processing.

Avocado pulp trader from the Netherlands. 

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Europe is an attractive and growing market for avocado pulp. Demand is rising as avocado consumption is increasing and buyers require more convenient processed products. Also, Europe still depends heavily on imports. The best opportunities are in markets that combine processing, distribution and final consumption, especially Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, France, the UK and Italy.

Avocado pulp is becoming a very convenient product on the European market and consumption is increasing. Currently it is a foodservice product helping restaurants save time and money but still preserving taste and nutrients from fresh avocados. In the future we expect expanding to the retail segment as well.

Avocado pulp trader from the Netherlands

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Passion fruit juice has good potential in Europe. It adds a strong tropical flavour, even in small amounts, and fits many food and drink products. The biggest opportunities are not in pure juice, but in industrial use for blends, premium beverages, dairy products and foodservice applications. Growing value, product innovation and interest in reduced-sugar recipes with a strong natural flavour support demand. The most attractive markets combine large processing industries, import demand and room for premium or sustainable products.

More European travellers are choosing to slow down when they travel to properly connect with the places they go. They want to spend more time in one location, connect with the local people and understand the destinations they visit. This is a real opportunity for tourism businesses in low and middle-income countries. Your location, community and way of life are what these travellers are looking for. This study explains what slow tourism is, who it attracts and how you can use it to strengthen your tourism offer.

Nowadays, commitment to sustainability is not a choice, but an obligation. The role of tourism businesses is important for cultural understanding, inclusion and protecting the environment. A tour is much more than a product. It is a learning experience where travellers connect with local people, discover different realities and understand different perspectives on life and development.

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Jan Strik, Founder at Vapues Travel

A slow travel experience is shaped by the feeling of being present, rather than by the number of nights spent in one place alone. It involves having enough time to connect with local people, gain a deeper understanding of the destination, and take part in small-scale, locally rooted experiences beyond the main tourist attractions.

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Elise Gelderloos, Product Manager and Data Analyst

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More European buyers expect you to demonstrate that your cocoa can be traced and is produced with low emissions. This is important because cocoa production adds to climate change and is also at risk to rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns. By taking on agroforestry and other climate-smart practices, you can reduce your emissions while becoming more productive and resilient.

Cocoa cooperatives can reduce their carbon footprint by adopting agroforestry and efficient farm management. Agroforestry recommendations involve increasing shade trees on farms from 15–25 to about 40–45 trees per hectare. Shade trees improve soil health, regulate temperature and protect cocoa trees during droughts. Practices like pruning, mulching and composting also support carbon storage and boost sustainable yields, making these approaches both environmentally and economically beneficial.

Dr Patricia Adu-Yeboah

Dr Patricia Adu-Yeboah, Research Scientist – Agronomist at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana

It is often difficult for farmers or cooperatives to enter the carbon market because of high upfront costs and complex requirements. A more practical option is to join existing projects led by aggregators or participate in certification programmes that offer premiums for low-emission and climate-smart production systems.

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Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is becoming a competitive requirement in international coffee markets. Many European buyers have committed to zero carbon emission targets by 2030 and 2050. For most of these companies, supply chain emissions make up the largest share of their carbon footprint. This means that progress toward their targets depends largely on actions taken at farm and processing level.

Cooperatives can access carbon markets through certification schemes such as Rainforest Alliance, 4C, Fairtrade and Regen Agri. These organisations provide guidance, ensure compliance and support verification to convert sustainable practices into measurable and tradable carbon credits. Coffee cooperatives must consider promoting improved varieties from approved sources, as traditional varieties require more land and inputs, increasing emissions from fertiliser use and deforestation.

Dr. Abraham Akpertey

Dr. Abraham Akpertey, Senior Research Scientist (Coffee Breeder) at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana

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