Europe imports 10.5 thousand tonnes of dried thyme each year. Imports from developing countries – now almost 40% of the total supply – bridge shortages left by Polish, Spanish and French crops. Egypt alone delivers half of that non-European volume. With a low economic growth forecast for 2027, consumption is set to rise slowly across food retail, service and processing sectors. Meeting strict EU contaminant limits unlocks interesting market segments beyond bulk and uncrushed thyme.

Sport tourism in Europe requires a lot of hard work and knowledge. To help you prepare CBI provides a Market Potential study with a list of European countries that offer the most opportunities for sport tourism and it describes the trends that offer new opportunities. The Market Entry study on this page contains information about buyer requirements and certifications, main market segments and distribution channels as well as information about the competition.

Religious tourism is a large tourism niche with a wide range of specific characteristics. European nations are keen religious tourists, both believers and non-believers. They like to travel to destinations all over the world for specific religious and cultural attractions. Authentic and immersive experiences are an important trend, and religious tourism also has links to spiritual and wellness tourism. Local tour operators must understand their religious product and why visitors come.

Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are frequent travellers. Many are retired and have the time and money to travel. More than one-fifth of the European population is made up of Baby Boomers, and most use European tour operators to organise their trips. There are good opportunities for local tour operators to attract this market with products carefully packaged to include active, immersive and meaningful experiences. However, it is important to remember that this is an ageing demographic, and products should meet a variety of needs.

The European tropical frozen fruit market is strong, with Germany and France standing out as leading consumers. Opportunities are arising from increased interest in exotic flavours and the health benefits of tropical fruits. Their frozen form offers convenience and year-round availability. New suppliers must be able to compete with already established offers from major exporters such as Peru, Vietnam and India. From beverages and desserts to culinary delights, tropical fruit infuses an exotic touch into the European diet.

In the long-term, olive oil is expected to increasingly replace vegetable oils, driven by a healthy image and the increasing popularity of Mediterranean cuisines. However, in the short term, sales of olive oil in Europe are expected to decline because of the price increase due to energy crises caused by the war in Ukraine. Opportunities for new developing country suppliers can be found in large European markets, such as France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden.

Dried grapes are a traditional bakery and confectionary ingredient in Europe. They are increasingly used as a healthy snack, often in combination with nuts or other dried fruit. Opportunities for new developing country suppliers can be found in large markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Poland. New suppliers must be ready to compete with the strong Turkish supply, which provides more than half of Europe’s imports of dried grapes.

Europe is the largest market for canned fruits and vegetables, representing more than 44% of total world imports in terms of value. Import volumes are on the increase for many types of canned fruits and vegetables. Large importing countries, particularly Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain, offer the best opportunities for exporters from developing countries. Competition mainly comes from other European countries, but developing countries like China and Turkey are also making their presence felt. 

The demand for dried mushrooms in Europe is growing. The popularity of ‘medical’ dried mushrooms has particularly increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. Several types of mushrooms are now advertised as being beneficial for immune support. Dried mushrooms are used as a healthy replacement for animal proteins and as a unique ingredient for flavour in many dishes. Opportunities for suppliers from developing countries can be found in large markets such as Italy, Germany and France.