The Generation Y or Millennial consumer group is the world’s largest consumer group today. They prize authentic, unique and exciting travel experiences over buying high-value items, such as a house or a car. They are tech-savvy, heavy internet users and often buy online. Millennials in Germany and the UK represent the largest markets in Europe. Millennials are at the forefront of new travel trends, such as ‘bleisure’ and sustainable travel. Local tour operators in destinations have considerable opportunities to reach European millennials.
The free or fully independent traveller (FIT) tourism market is characterised by independence. FITs like to make their travel plans themselves and prefer active or immersive experiences. FITs are particularly numerous in western Europe, from where many low-cost airlines fly regularly to developing countries in Asia and Africa. FITs are looking for good value trips, fuelling demand for unique local experiences and sustainable travel.
The sun and beach tourism market is a large and one of the most popular holiday types. In recent years, there has been a notable shift away from traditional beach destinations towards places that are off the beaten track and offer cultural and adventurous activities. This creates great opportunities for local tour operators. Sustainability is key to success, as pristine beaches and clean, clear waters are the most important components to success in the sun and beach tourism sector.
Belgium is one of the main points of entry and trade hubs for coffee in Europe. It is also an increasingly interesting market for certified coffees, following a consumer trend towards sustainable, traceable and high-quality products. The specialty coffee market in Belgium is also growing while maintaining the country’s tradition for small coffee houses and cafés. The growing interest in high-quality and certified coffees in Belgium underlines the growing importance of origin, traceability and social impact in coffee.
Rising incomes and growing interest in high-quality coffees bring interesting opportunities to the Eastern European coffee market. Multinational companies and mainstream brands currently dominate the market in this region, but specialised small coffee roasters are rapidly emerging, especially in Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania. The specialty market is still a very small niche market, but it opens doors for exporters of high-quality coffees and the establishment of more direct relationships with buyers.
The Scandinavian market offers many opportunities for producing country suppliers. The Scandinavian market is not the largest, but it values quality and sustainable sourcing. This market therefore offers special opportunities to certified suppliers and suppliers of premium and specialty coffee. Five larger roasters dominate the Scandinavian market.
Exporting specialty coffee to Europe comes with strict rules about quality, labels and sustainability. To succeed, exporters need to understand different market segments and how to sell their coffee. Creating a good relationship with your buyers is of key importance. You need this to establish trust and a long-term trading relationship. Many European buyers will have their own quality requirements. This creates opportunities to diversify and appeal to European importers and roasters.
Helping farmers understand their buyers’ markets enables them to adjust their produce to their needs. Producers benefit from improved communication, while all links in the chain benefit from mutual exchanges of knowledge. It starts with ripe cherries on the shrub.
Stijn van Mourik, Product and supply chain expert, Coffee farm manager – Cafés Dagobert, France; La Perla Roja, Colombia
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19 May 2022 Exporting Specialty Coffee to Europe
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Exporting specialty coffee to Europe requires a lot of hard work and knowledge. To help you prepare CBI provides market information with trends which offer opportunities in the European market for exporting specialty coffee. From information about buyer requirements and certifications when exporting specialty coffee, to main market segments and distribution channels for exporting specialty coffee as well as information about the competition.
Belgian chocolate is famous the world over. It is produced under strict requirements and is a major export product for Belgium. With its large chocolate industry, Belgium is a major hub for cocoa bean imports from producing countries. Most of its chocolate is produced by three manufacturers: Barry Callebaut, Cargill and Puratos. These three companies dominate the chocolate supply. Sustainability is very important in Belgium, and a large share of the market already buys certified cocoa. This share is expected to keep growing.
Adventure 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 adventure 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.