Europe is one of the world’s leading agrifood exporters, known for premium products that combine quality, tradition and innovation. Yet an important part of that success is often overlooked: many of the products associated with European excellence depend on ingredients or inputs sourced from beyond Europe’s borders. 40% of the EU’s high value agrifood exports rely on imported raw materials, such as cocoa and coffee, or feed inputs that underpin products like meat and dairy.From Italian espresso to Belgian chocolate, some of Europe’s most recognisable food and drink brands begin with raw materials grown elsewhere. Trade does not weaken Europe’s agrifood economy. It helps make it possible.
Global ingredients, European excellence
Many of Europe’s best known products start far beyond its borders. Coffee beans grown in tropical regions are roasted, blended and branded in Europe. Cocoa is transformed into chocolate associated worldwide with European craftsmanship and quality. Vanilla, spices and other globally sourced ingredients used across Europe’s food and drink industry.
What Europe adds is value. Processing, manufacturing food safety systems, logistics, innovation and branding all contribute to Turning global raw materials into high-value European products. This one of the reasons Europe remains so competitive in global agrifood markets.
Trade as a driver of competitiveness
This interconnection is not a weakness; it is a strength.
Open and predictable trade allows European businesses to source the ingredients they need, invest with confidence and compete internationally. It supports jobs across processing, transport, retail and export sectors. It also helps Europe export added-value products that reflect European know-how, not just raw commodities.
At a time when competitiveness has returned to the centre of Eu policymaking, this matters. Europe’s agrifood success depends not only on what it grows but also on what it transforms, markets and exports. ‑
Why this story matters now
Debates on Europe’s future often present trade and domestic production as opposites. In reality, they are deeply connected. Restricting access to imported raw materials does not strengthen Europe’s value creation. It risks weakening the very supply chains that support European industry, jobs and exports. Trade is not separate from Europe’s agrifood success. It is one of the foundations that underpins it.
Trade does not compete with European value creation. It enables it.
Check out our infographic on the importance of trade