The European fish and seafood market faced serious challenges due to COVID-19. The global pandemic caused shifts both in European demand for imported fish and seafood and in the supply of seafood in producing countries. At the same time there are a number of notable trends unrelated to COVID-19 that continue to present opportunities and threats to the market. Learning to adapt your business to the new reality is an essential ingredient for success.

Europe’s Muslim community is young, growing and has buying power. They are increasingly using social media to find role models and to express their style as well as their religious identity. Fashion more generally is also becoming more inclusive of minorities.

Germany relies on imports to guarantee a year-round supply of fresh produce. Almost 40% of Germany’s fresh fruit and vegetable imports come from developing countries. The opportunities for tropical and exotic fruit are growing, such as bananas, grapes, avocados, blueberries and mangos. The same is true of (exotic) vegetables such as tomatoes, capsicum, beans, asparagus and pumpkins. The German organic market is the largest in Europe, which makes it attractive for suppliers from developing countries.

Global outbound tourism has recovered from the pandemic. There is continued growth in the first half of 2025. Germany and the UK are the largest European markets, and demand from all source markets is high. The highest growth in arrivals to South America, Africa and Asia was between January and June 2025. Traditional destinations are still popular among Europeans, including Türkiye, Egypt and Morocco. Emerging destinations that are becoming more popular include Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Tunisia and Indonesia.

Exporters of cosmetic ingredients to Europe must adapt to a market shaped by sustainability, traceability and innovation. These are no longer optional values. They are now basic expectations from both buyers and consumers. This shift is driven by new EU regulations such as the Green Deal, deforestation-free and due diligence requirements. It is also the growing link between beauty, health and ethics. As a result, companies must show clear and verifiable environmental and social performance.

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.

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.

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.