Market evolution: Berries (CN 0810) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report examines the evolution of the European Union's trade in fresh berries and other edible fruits classified under Combined Nomenclature (CN) code 0810 over the period 2015–2025. The product category is broad, encompassing strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, kiwifruit, cranberries, and others. Over the decade, the EU's trade profile for these products has undergone a fundamental transformation. While the Union's export performance has grown, it has been vastly outpaced by a surge in imports, turning the EU from a net exporter into a significant net importer in value terms. This report analyzes the key dynamics behind this shift, the changing composition of trade, and the evolving structure of the market.

The Great Inversion: From Trade Surplus to Structural Deficit

The most striking feature of the 2015–2025 period is the dramatic reversal in the EU's trade balance for CN 0810 products. The bloc moved from a comfortable trade surplus to a substantial deficit, driven by a massive expansion of imports.

The import surge redefines the trade balance

Between 2015 and 2025, the value of EU imports of fresh berries grew by 253.6%, from €865 million to €3.06 billion. In volume, imports increased by 76.5%, from 412,214 tonnes to 727,412 tonnes. This growth was not linear; it accelerated markedly from 2023 onwards. In contrast, EU exports grew more moderately by 59.4% in value (to €1.76 billion) and actually decreased by 4.5% in volume (to 498,946 tonnes). Consequently, the trade balance swung from a surplus of €240 million in 2015 to a deficit of €1.30 billion in 2025, a change of over -641% (General Overview).

Price inflation amplified the value shift

A significant driver of the value increase was rising unit prices. The average import price surged by 100.4% over the period, reaching €4,206 per tonne in 2025. Export prices also rose, by 66.9% to €3,530 per tonne, but the import price premium widened. This suggests that the EU is increasingly sourcing higher-value berries or that input costs for imported berries have risen faster than for those it exports.

A Shift in Composition: The Rise of the "Exotic" Berry

The growth in trade was not evenly distributed across all berry types. The product mix for both imports and exports evolved, highlighting changes in consumer demand and competitive advantages.

Cranberries and raspberries became the cornerstone of import growth

On the import side, the categories "Fresh cranberries, bilberries and other fruits of the genus Vaccinium" (CN 081040) and "Fresh raspberries, blackberries, mulberries and loganberries" (CN 081020) were the primary engines of growth. Import value for cranberries and related fruits skyrocketed by 609%, from €180 million in 2015 to €1.28 billion in 2025, making it the single largest import category by value. Raspberry/blackberry import value grew by 313% to €367 million. In contrast, the value of strawberry (CN 081010) imports grew by only 17% over the decade, with volumes actually declining. Kiwifruit (CN 081050) imports also grew substantially in value (214%) despite more modest volume growth, indicating significant price increases (Product Segment Breakdown).

Export specialisation remained centred on traditional berries

The EU's export basket remained dominated by strawberries, kiwifruit, and persimmons (CN 081070). Strawberry exports accounted for €464 million (26% of total exports) in 2025. However, the value growth in exports was broad-based, with significant increases for kiwifruit (+78%), the catch-all category "other edible fruits" (CN 081090, +92%), and cranberries (+110%). This suggests the EU maintained strength in a diverse set of niche products alongside its core strawberry sector.

Consolidating Sources and Shifting Gateways

The geographic landscape of trade also underwent significant restructuring, characterized by the growing dominance of a few key suppliers and a reconfiguration of the EU's primary export markets.

Import sources became more concentrated and diversified simultaneously

The concentration of import sources by value (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index) increased by 51.1% between 2015 and 2025, indicating a growing reliance on a smaller number of major suppliers. The top two partners in 2025 were New Zealand (€729 million, primarily kiwifruit) and Peru (€698 million, primarily cranberries and berries), whose import values grew by 271% and a staggering 1,520%, respectively. Morocco also emerged as a major power, with import value soaring by 531% to €687 million, largely for raspberries and other soft fruits. Meanwhile, traditional suppliers like Chile and Turkey saw more modest growth (Top Partners).

The Netherlands and Spain solidified their roles as Europe's berry hubs

Within the EU, the Netherlands and Spain acted as the main gateways for both incoming and outgoing trade. The Netherlands was the largest importer by value in 2025 (€1.24 billion, +339% vs 2015), reinforcing its role as a key distribution hub. Spain was the largest exporter (€537 million) and the second-largest importer (€846 million, +429%). This suggests significant re-export activity and highlights the integrated, specialised supply chains within the bloc. On the export side, the United Kingdom remained the paramount destination (€635 million), though the market became more diversified, with notable growth in exports to Switzerland (+113%) and Ukraine (+281%) (Top Reporters).

Conclusion

The EU market for fresh berries (CN 0810) between 2015 and 2025 is a story of profound structural change. A consumer-driven appetite for year-round availability and a wider variety of berries, particularly cranberries and raspberries, fueled an import boom that fundamentally altered the region's trade position. This surge was powered by rapid growth from suppliers in the Southern Hemisphere (New Zealand, Peru) and North Africa (Morocco), enabled by the Netherlands and Spain as key logistical nodes. While the EU's own export sector demonstrated resilience and diversification, its growth was eclipsed by import expansion. The resulting shift from a trade surplus to a deficit of over €1.3 billion underscores the EU's increasing dependency on external suppliers to satisfy domestic demand for this product category, a trend shaped by both evolving tastes and significant price inflation across the supply chain.