Europe’s fresh fruit and vegetables market is more and more shaped by a set of connected trends. These include tightened environmental regulations, changing consumer preferences, cost-of-living pressures and technological innovations. Playing into these trends offers opportunities: higher-value niches, deeper buyer partnerships, expanded e-commerce channels and a strong reputation as a sustainable and responsible supplier.

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.

Europe is the largest importer of cocoa beans, paste, butter and powder in the world. It is also an important trade hub for cocoa and chocolate. Market demand for certified and sustainable cocoa is high. New EU regulations such as the Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) will have a major impact on cocoa supply chains. Inflation, rising cost of living and rising prices of cocoa are reducing demand short-term. An unstable cocoa market is boosting uncertainty and making the market unpredictable.