Market evolution: Soups and broths (CN 210410) — 2015–2025
Introduction
This report examines the evolution of EU trade in soups and broths (customs code 210410) over the period 2015–2025. The product category, classified under "Miscellaneous Edible Preparations," encompasses soups, broths, and preparations therefor, and maps to Prodcom code 10.89.11.00. The EU's position in this market has shifted notably over the decade, with exports growing substantially while imports have undergone a structural transformation in terms of volume and pricing dynamics.
The EU's Consolidation as a Net Exporter
Over the 2015–2025 period, the EU significantly strengthened its position as a net exporter of soups and broths. The trade balance widened from €150 million to €237 million, an increase of 58.3%, while the net import reliance indicator deepened from –3.3% to –10.8%, confirming a growing export surplus.
Export growth outpaced imports by a wide margin
EU exports of soups and broths rose from €244 million in 2015 to €337 million in 2025, a cumulative increase of 38.0%. In volume terms, exports grew from 88,587 tonnes to 109,938 tonnes (+24.1%). Over the same period, import value grew only 5.9% (from €95 million to €100 million), while import volumes actually declined by 28.5%, falling from 32,506 tonnes to 23,250 tonnes.
| Indicator | 2015 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export value (€M) | 244.4 | 337.2 | +38.0% |
| Export volume (t) | 88,587 | 109,938 | +24.1% |
| Import value (€M) | 94.7 | 100.2 | +5.9% |
| Import volume (t) | 32,506 | 23,250 | –28.5% |
| Trade balance (€M) | 149.7 | 237.0 | +58.3% |
Export propensity nearly tripled over the decade
The EU's export propensity — the share of domestic production destined for non-EU markets — rose from 5.8% to 13.7% (+138.7%). Trade intensity similarly increased from 8.1% to 17.0% (+110.0%). These indicators suggest that the EU's soups and broths industry has become far more outward-looking over the period, increasingly targeting international markets rather than serving domestic consumption alone.
Domestic production expanded in volume but not in value
EU production of soups and broths grew from 900 million kg to approximately 1,050 million kg (+16.6%) between 2015 and 2025. However, production value declined from €2,749 million to €2,474 million (–10.0%), indicating either downward price pressure or a shift toward lower-value product mixes. This volume-growth/value-decline pattern, combined with rising export values, suggests that producers have been channelling an increasing share of output toward higher-value export markets.
A Structural Shift in the Import Market
While the overall import value remained relatively stable over the period, the composition of imports underwent a fundamental transformation. Import volumes fell sharply while unit prices surged, pointing to a qualitative shift in the nature of EU imports.
Import prices rose by 48% while volumes contracted by 28.5%
The most striking feature of the import side is the divergence between volume and price trends. The average import price climbed from €2,913 per tonne in 2015 to €4,311 per tonne in 2025 — the highest level recorded over the entire period and an increase of 48.0%. Meanwhile, import volumes fell from 32,506 tonnes to 23,250 tonnes. This pattern suggests the EU is importing fewer but more expensive products, likely reflecting a shift toward premium or specialised soup preparations and rising production costs in key supplier countries.
| Metric | 2015 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import volume (t) | 32,506 | 23,250 | –28.5% |
| Import price (€/t) | 2,913 | 4,311 | +48.0% |
| Export price (€/t) | 2,758 | 3,067 | +11.2% |
The United Kingdom remained the dominant trade partner on both sides
The United Kingdom was the EU's largest export destination and one of its primary import sources throughout the period. Exports to the UK rose from €97 million to €123 million (+26.4%), while imports from the UK remained relatively stable at around €28 million (up 1.6%). The UK's share of EU export value remains dominant, though the relationship has become somewhat less volatile than that with other partners — the coefficient of variation for UK-bound exports stands at just 0.108, the lowest among the EU's top partners.
Swiss import volumes collapsed while Japanese imports surged
Switzerland, the EU's second-largest import source in 2015 at €34 million, saw its share decline to €24 million (–30.0%) by 2025. By contrast, imports from Japan grew from €3.3 million to €12.3 million (+277.4%), representing the most dramatic growth among the top import partners. This may reflect rising demand for Asian-style soup preparations in the EU or increased sourcing of specialised broths from Japanese manufacturers. The concentration of import sources has decreased over time: the import HHI (by value) fell from 2,220 to 1,631 (–26.5%), indicating a more diversified supply base.
Emerging Export Destinations and Internal EU Dynamics
Beyond the continued importance of traditional European partners, the 2015–2025 period saw a notable diversification of EU export destinations, particularly toward Sub-Saharan African markets. Within the EU, a small group of member states consolidated their role as export hubs.
Sub-Saharan African markets grew rapidly as export destinations
Several African countries emerged as fast-growing destinations for EU soup exports. Guinea saw the most dramatic increase, rising from €402,076 to €18.2 million (+4,414.8%) over the period. Burkina Faso grew from €8.3 million to €25.6 million (+206.4%), while the Democratic Republic of Congo rose from €4.9 million to €13.1 million (+165.6%). Somalia also expanded significantly (+70.2%). These trends likely reflect growing demand for packaged food products in developing markets and the presence of European food companies, including those with humanitarian supply chains.
| Destination | 2015 (€M) | 2025 (€M) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guinea | 0.4 | 18.2 | +4,414.8% |
| Burkina Faso | 8.3 | 25.6 | +206.4% |
| United States | 7.1 | 20.0 | +181.8% |
| DR Congo | 4.9 | 13.1 | +165.6% |
| Somalia | 4.9 | 8.3 | +70.2% |
Spain emerged as the EU's leading exporter, while Ireland recorded extraordinary growth
Among EU member states, Spain saw the largest absolute increase in exports, rising from €79 million to €134 million (+69.9%) to become the EU's top exporting country by value. Ireland experienced the most dramatic relative growth, surging from €2.2 million to €29.7 million (+1,235.1%). Croatia also performed strongly, growing from €15.3 million to €26.5 million (+73.3%). By contrast, the Netherlands and Italy — both major exporters in 2015 — saw declines of 34.0% and 6.2% respectively.
| EU Exporter | 2015 (€M) | 2025 (€M) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 79.0 | 134.2 | +69.9% |
| Ireland | 2.2 | 29.7 | +1,235.1% |
| Croatia | 15.3 | 26.5 | +73.3% |
| Germany | 25.4 | 26.8 | +5.2% |
| Italy | 34.1 | 32.0 | –6.2% |
| Netherlands | 20.7 | 13.6 | –34.0% |
Specialisation patterns reveal a geographically concentrated production base
Analysis of revealed comparative advantage (RCA) in 2025 shows that Romania (RCA 4.95), Portugal (4.01), and Slovakia (3.55) are the most specialised EU producers of soups and broths relative to their overall trade profiles. These countries exhibit strong production shares within this product category. At the other end of the spectrum, Bulgaria, Ireland, Slovenia, and Finland show negative RSCA values, indicating they are net importers of soups and broths relative to their overall trade patterns. This geographic specialisation suggests that the EU's export growth has been driven primarily by a concentrated group of production centres, particularly in Southern and Central Europe.
Conclusion
Over the 2015–2025 decade, the EU's soups and broths market evolved along three principal axes. First, the EU consolidated its position as a net exporter, with the trade surplus expanding by 58.3% and export propensity nearly tripling to 13.7%. Second, the import market underwent a structural transformation, with volumes declining by 28.5% while unit prices surged by 48%, suggesting a shift toward higher-value imported preparations. Third, EU export destinations diversified significantly, with Sub-Saharan African markets — particularly Guinea, Burkina Faso, and the DR Congo — emerging as major growth drivers alongside the persistent centrality of the United Kingdom.
Within the EU, export capacity became more concentrated in a handful of member states, with Spain, Ireland, and Croatia gaining ground while the Netherlands and Italy lost share. The declining HHI on the import side (from 2,220 to 1,631) indicates greater supplier diversification, which may reduce vulnerability to single-source disruptions. However, certain partner relationships remain volatile: Serbia, Ukraine, and Guinea all exhibit high coefficients of variation, and several notable price shocks were detected during the period, including in Serbia (2020), Ghana (2022), and Switzerland (2023).
Overall, the EU's soups and broths industry appears to have successfully pivoted toward export-oriented growth, leveraging production specialisation in select member states to serve expanding international demand while maintaining a diversified and evolving import base.