European consumers have regained some purchasing power, but a proportionally larger share of their budgets is not necessarily flowing into retail. In 2025, average purchasing power per capita in the European Union reached EUR 22,425, up 3.3% in nominal terms from the previous year. Over the same period, retail turnover increased by 2.1%, while retail's share of private consumption fell to 31.9%, marking its fourth consecutive annual decline.
A buyer looking for a new supplier can already begin the selection process without manually reviewing dozens of websites, catalogs, and technical data sheets. Part of that work can be delegated to an Artificial Intelligence agent that identifies companies matching specific requirements, compares their offerings, checks available information, and produces a shortlist. In more standardized workflows, the same agent can also support purchasing and reordering.
Global food and agricultural trade has grown to a scale that makes supply chains more interconnected, but also more exposed to disruptions spreading across markets. As a result, sourcing and supplier selection strategies are shifting toward more resilient and flexible models built around better risk management and genuine diversification.
In the UK, packaging design is increasingly becoming a cost variable. From 2026/27, under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging scheme, the disposal fees charged to large producers for household packaging waste are being modulated according to recyclability. Packaging that is harder to recycle attracts higher fees, while packaging rated as more recyclable can benefit from a discount.
From October 1 through December 31, 2026, food facilities required to register with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must complete the biennial renewal of their Food Facility Registration. The requirement also applies to foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for consumption in the United States, making the upcoming renewal period directly relevant to many food companies exporting to the U.S. market.
From 27 September 2026, new EU rules against greenwashing introduced by Directive (EU) 2024/825 will apply across the European Union, strengthening consumer protection against misleading commercial practices involving environmental claims.
On October 21, 2026, Dubai will host AgriNext Awards & Conference 2026, an international event dedicated to innovation in agriculture and new solutions to make food production more efficient and sustainable. The event will bring together companies, institutions, investors, researchers, and technology providers from different countries, creating an opportunity to discuss the key changes affecting agriculture and the entire agri-food supply chain.
Exports, markets and growth strategies. Taking a food brand into more than 100 countries requires a strategy that balances identity, adaptation to local markets and consistency in positioning. The experience of Fabbri 1905 shows how the heritage of an Italian company can become an international competitive advantage, provided it is supported by innovation, a strong understanding of consumers and the careful selection of business partners.
Foodservice in 2026: brunch, afternoon snacking and aperitivo reshape consumption throughout the day
Longer breakfast hours, brunch, mid-morning snacks, afternoon snacking and aperitivo are playing a growing role in European foodservice. Out-of-home consumption is becoming more evenly spread throughout the day and less tied to the traditional lunch and dinner dayparts.
The new Italian Organic Logo, officially known as the Marchio del biologico italiano, establishes eligibility requirements, application procedures and rules for displaying the logo on packaging and commercial materials. It could also support marketing and communication in international markets by giving producers, distributors and importers an additional tool to highlight the Italian origin of eligible products.
The European Union is simplifying some of the rules governing EU-funded programmes for the promotion of agri-food products. The changes mainly concern the time allowed to conclude contracts, the maximum pre-financing rate and the requirements for reporting programme results.
The precautionary statement "may contain" indicates the possible unintended presence of an allergen that is not part of the product formulation. Its use, however, varies considerably across brands and markets. In some cases, it is supported by a documented risk assessment; in others, it is applied routinely as an additional precaution.
Food & beverage sales in Europe grew by 2.7% in the first four months of 2026, but volume sales remain under pressure. Against this backdrop, smaller pack sizes and more accessible entry price points are becoming strategic tools for increasing sales velocity, reaching a broader customer base and adapting assortments to different channels.
The 2024/2025 production campaign for Pecorino Romano PDO closed with just over 39 million kilograms of cheese. The 47 dairies in the supply chain processed more than 300 million liters of milk, 76% of which was allocated to certified production. The supply chain includes nearly 9,000 sheep farmers and 47 dairies. Sardinia accounts for 92% of total volumes, while cooperatives represent 54% of production.
In the first four months of 2026, EU agri-food trade showed an interesting signal: the surplus remained positive and increased slightly compared with the same period of the previous year, despite a slowdown in exports. According to the European Commission, between January and April 2026 the EU agri-food trade balance reached 15.6 billion euro, up 233 million euro compared with 2025.
The new EU rules on Listeria monocytogenes strengthen controls on ready-to-eat foods, with important implications for producers, importers and distributors, particularly in categories such as sliced cured meats, dairy products, ready meals, chilled prepared foods and processed fish. The key issues are shelf-life, HACCP, environmental monitoring and technical documentation: essential elements for ensuring food safety, regulatory compliance and trust in business relationships with buyers, retailers and international markets that increasingly focus on quality and documented supplier traceability.
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