The processed fruit and vegetables market is one of the largest European food sectors. It has an import value of almost €40 billion and counts thousands of players. There are many ways to identify potential buyers among the many players. The tips below provide you with a short but detailed guide on how and where to find buyers for your processed fruit and vegetable products. However, finding a buyer does not guarantee that you will sell your products to them. This depends on many factors, some of which are out of your control.

Exhibiting at large trade events can be costly for small companies from developing countries. If that applies to you, consider participating in selective face-to-face events with a limited number of qualified buyers. In that case, you will have more time to talk to potential buyers, compared to crowded trade events. However, more time does not guarantee success if you are not prepared. So present your unique selling points, bring samples and answer your buyers' questions honestly.

Chris Debove

Chris Debove
CEO, Polaris Meetings, France

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If you want to successfully export processed foods to Europe, you should pay attention to what European buyers like and need. A deeper understanding of European buyers and their preferences helps SMEs offer products that buyers and their customers want. It also drives suppliers to adopt new business practices. This type of connection helps firms build a stronger market presence, boosting their long-term growth and profitability in Europe.

Open Trade Gate Sweden provides market studies, webinars and customised advice about the Swedish market for selected goods and services. Food products is one of our main focus areas and we can provide reliable and updated market intel. Our main target group is SMEs in developing economies, and in our long-term projects we can also offer capacity building that can take you all the way to a meeting with an end client in Sweden.

Linda Rydén

Linda Rydén, Trade Policy Adviser, Open Trade Gate Sweden

Finnpartnership's Matchmaking service connects companies from Finland and developing markets looking for long-term business partners. Companies from developing markets that register for the Matchmaking service have their own public profile in the online Matchmaking database. Included in the database are companies interested in exporting to Finland and in need of a Finnish partner for entering the Finnish, Nordic and EU markets. Upon registration, all companies are marketed in our monthly newsletter for visibility. We also actively market the Matchmaking database to Finnish stakeholders.

Axel Sointu

Axel Sointu, Business Partnership Lead, Finnpartnership

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The market for squid and cuttlefish has many different relevant species, origins and competitors. It is a mature market with many stable commercial relationships, modern processing facilities and many options for adding value to the raw material. Ensure that your product complies with all traceability and health and safety requirements to enter Europe. Once in Europe, make sure that your product goes to the right destination market and passes through the right channels. Competition is tough and markets know what they want.

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This document provides information about how and where to find European buyers for your IT or business process outsourcing (ITO/BPO) services. Discover the key elements that pave the path to success: understanding your unique offerings and target audience, establishing a strong online presence and making meaningful connections.

Your website is your business card, the gateway to partnership success. Showcase your best work in a captivating portfolio. Let your website speak volumes and attract the perfect partners.

Graphic designer at a Dutch/Finnish website and graphic design company

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European tour operators are bound by strict regulations. These ensure that their customers are protected financially and safe when travelling overseas. If you want to do business with tour operators in Europe, you need to make sure that your business meets their standards. The most important legal statute for them is the European Package Travel Directive.

Suppliers that have international representation or affiliations in relation to their niche market offering will better differentiate themselves. These partnerships give travel agents like us reassurance that a product or experience is suitable for that the specific market. The use of international representation can also help you build better relationships within the specific target countries and build greater awareness.

Molly Kinnaird

Molly Kinnaird, Head of Europe, True Travel

 

A sustainable destination aims to create an attractive destination for visitors, residents and local businesses that is respectful of local culture, traditions, heritage and the environment. This cannot be achieved without collaboration between the different stakeholders of the destination. In the best examples, the destination is a synergy between the leadership provided by the destination management and the engagement from local businesses, so both are working together towards the same goals.

Louise de Hemmer

Louise de Hemmer, Green Destinations Top 100

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Europe is a large and steady market for cinnamon exporters. The most promising country markets for cinnamon exporters from developing countries are Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland and France. These markets have high import volumes, strong trade systems, and well-developed spices and herbs sectors. The European market is also shaped by sustainability trends. Organic and Fairtrade-certified cinnamon are becoming an especially fast-growing niche.

Cinnamon is one of the most commonly used single spices by Dutch consumers. This provides opportunities for high-quality products, as consumers are often willing to pay more for products they use on a daily or weekly basis. But the high-end spice segment is limited in the Netherlands. Thus, in order to warm up consumers to the quality differences and prices, these products have to be backed by good stories about the production and the farmers. If not, many consumers prefer the flavours they are used to, mainly low-quality cassia from the supermarket.

Iona Mulder / Founder The Good Spice

Iona Mulder, Founder of The Good Spice

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When entering the European market for pineapples, expect strong competition from multinational brands. Costa Rica covers 84% of the market with the MD2 pineapple. As a new supplier, you must focus on the right maturity and find a way to differentiate your product. Supermarkets sell most pineapples in Europe, but the wholesale market can be ideal for specialties.

On the European market, competition among pineapple suppliers is very strong. Average-quality pineapples stand no chance on the very selective air-freight market. You must do your best to always export only the finest fruits available at your packing station. Your importer will understand your shortcomings in terms of volumes, if you decide not to export fruits of lower or poor quality; on the other hand, he will not understand that you knowingly exported fruits of poor quality, just to supply forecasted volumes.

Thierry Paqui

Thierry Paqui, Consultant and quality control expert

 

Webinar recording

17 October 2022: Exporting pineapples to a mature European market

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The biggest end markets for pangasius are in Northern Europe, where consumers are most concerned with sustainability, price and convenience. The majority of pangasius enter Europe as frozen fillets, and Vietnamese exporters have the majority of the market. Most pangasius products come in through importers and wholesalers and end up in retail and food service across Europe. Make sure that your products are handled and labelled correctly and follow all mandatory and market requirements, or they may be rejected at the border or fail to sell.

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