The European Union's import demand for Asian and African products has surged in 2025, driven by consumer appetite for ethnic foods, sustainable ingredients, and affordable consumer goods. From record-breaking shrimp shipments to soaring ginger imports, the EU market presents significant opportunities for exporters across both continents. Understanding which products are most in demand is essential for businesses seeking to capture share in this lucrative market.
Shrimp topped the list of high-demand products, with EU imports reaching 205,292 metric tons in the first half of 2025 alone, a 21% increase year-on-year. Ecuador dominated supply with 114,763 metric tons, but Asian suppliers also gained ground: India shipped 25,572 metric tons (up 25%) and Vietnam sent 24,149 metric tons (up 22%). The total value of these imports reached €1.32 billion, reflecting both volume growth and higher prices.
Ginger emerged as a standout performer, with EU imports rising nearly 21% to 4,702 metric tons in the first half of 2025. China was the dominant supplier, increasing shipments by an impressive 104.7% to account for roughly 40% of EU ginger imports. Vietnam also grew strongly at 56.2%, while India declined 26%. The Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium were the largest EU buyers, and import values jumped over 50% due to higher prices.
Macadamia nuts set a new record in 2025, with EU imports reaching 10,887 metric tons valued at €123 million, a 63% increase in value from 2024. South Africa supplied over 5,600 metric tons, accounting for 52% of the total, while Kenya contributed 2,828 metric tons with 15% growth. China, despite being the world's largest producer, ranked seventh with exports growing over 50%, indicating significant untapped potential for Asian suppliers.
Cocoa and coffee from Africa have experienced explosive value growth, driven by historic price surges. Côte d'Ivoire's agri-food exports to the EU jumped 66% to €5 billion in the first half of 2025, largely due to cocoa prices exceeding $10,000 per ton. The country rose to become the EU's sixth-largest supplier, and its success illustrates how African agricultural commodities are benefiting from both price trends and European demand for traceable, sustainable sourcing.
Ethnic and specialty food ingredients represent a rapidly growing category, with the EU market for these products forecast to grow at 6–8% annually, reaching €25–35 billion. Coconut milk, curry pastes, harissa, tahini, rice noodles, and spice blends are in high demand as European households embrace Asian, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and African cuisines. Importers who can provide consistent quality, certified sustainability, and retail-ready packaging are well-positioned to capture this growth.
Value-added shrimp products have shown particularly strong momentum, with EU imports reaching 26,044 metric tons in the first half of 2025, up 23% year-on-year. This segment includes breaded shrimp, marinated products, and ready-to-cook items that appeal to time-pressed European consumers. Asian suppliers from Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia have significant opportunities to expand in this higher-margin category.
Tropical fruits from both continents continue to perform well, though specific 2025 data is more limited. Avocados, mangoes, pineapples, and passion fruit from Kenya, South Africa, Peru, and Thailand are staples in European supermarkets. The EU's growing ethnic population and mainstream consumers' familiarity with tropical flavors have made these products everyday items rather than specialty goods, creating stable year-round demand.
Textile and apparel products from Asia remain significant despite tariff changes affecting U.S. markets. Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Pakistan are major suppliers to the EU, benefiting from geographic proximity to European buyers and preferential trade arrangements. The EU's Everything But Arms scheme provides duty-free access for least-developed countries, making Bangladesh and Cambodia particularly competitive in basic apparel categories.
Footwear from Asia dominates the EU market, with Vietnam, Indonesia, and China as primary suppliers. European consumers buy billions of euros worth of shoes annually, from athletic sneakers to leather dress shoes. Italian and Spanish brands manufacture domestically at the high end, but volume production has shifted overwhelmingly to Asia, and this trend shows no sign of reversal.
Processed foods and ready meals from Asia have gained traction in European retail, including instant noodles, sauces, frozen dim sum, and shelf-stable curries. The convenience food trend, accelerated by the pandemic, has made these products mainstream rather than niche. Thai, Japanese, Korean, and Indian brands have led the way, with European retailers increasingly devoting shelf space to Asian ready meals.
Organic and sustainable products command premium prices in the EU, and suppliers from both Asia and Africa are capitalizing on this. Organic spices from Sri Lanka and Madagascar, sustainable palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia (certified under RSPO), and fair-trade cocoa from Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire all find willing buyers. The EU Deforestation Regulation, effective from 2025, has made traceability a requirement rather than a choice for commodities like cocoa, palm oil, soy, coffee, and rubber.
Seafood beyond shrimp is also in demand, including tuna from Thailand and Vietnam, tilapia from Indonesia and China, and octopus from Morocco and Mauritania. European consumers' preference for healthy proteins has driven growth across the seafood category. Sustainability certifications, such as MSC and ASC, are increasingly important for market access, and suppliers who invest in certification gain competitive advantage.
Spices from Asia and Africa have seen strong demand, with pepper from Vietnam, turmeric from India, cinnamon from Sri Lanka, and vanilla from Madagascar all performing well. The EU's growing interest in global cuisines has made once-exotic spices into everyday ingredients. Value-added formats—ground, blended, and retail-packaged—command higher margins than bulk commodities.
Finally, consumer electronics and small appliances from Asia remain among the EU's largest import categories by value, though they fall outside the food and agricultural focus of this list. Vietnam, China, South Korea, and Malaysia supply smartphones, computers, and home appliances in vast quantities. While tariffs and regulations affect these flows, Asia's manufacturing ecosystem remains indispensable to European consumers and businesses alike.
For exporters in Asia and Africa, the EU market offers diverse opportunities across food, consumer goods, and industrial products. Success requires attention to quality standards, sustainability certifications, and the evolving preferences of European consumers. Those who invest in traceability, packaging, and compliance with EU regulations will find a market that rewards reliability and responsibility.