Geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and climate change are shaking up global trade and Europe's vegetable market. Traditional sourcing isn't cutting it anymore, and businesses need better ways to plan their supply chains. One solution getting attention is friendshoring: buying from closer, politically friendly countries. It sounds promising, but can it really strengthen Europe's food supply chain? Or could it lead to issues like higher prices or new environmental risks? 

The global trade environment is shifting once again, and European businesses are feeling the impact. Trump’s Executive Orders 2025 are driving up costs, disrupting supply chains, and creating uncertainty for industries across the EU. 

For a  provider of raw materials, the challenge is clear: adapt to higher costs while staying competitive in a rapidly changing market. Will businesses turn to new sourcing strategies, automation, and digital tools to survive, or will these tariffs push some sectors to the edge? 

As Europe rethinks its trade policies and explores new partn ...

As European countries boost their army armament, the demand for essential raw materials, especially metals, is skyrocketing. This surge is putting pressure on country supplies, pushing prices higher, and causing production delays.

It's not just the defense sector feeling the squeeze. Industries like automotive and construction, which rely on the same materials, are now competing for limited resources, making it even harder to keep the production chain running smoothly. For every supplier of metalworking products, the challenges are mounting—shortages, unpredictable costs, and longer wai ...

Coffee lovers, be warned: your daily cup is in trouble! A mix of climate change, global conflicts, economic problems, and broken supply chains has pushed coffee bean prices to record highs. This isn’t just a small price increase—it’s a serious threat to the entire coffee industry, risking millions of livelihoods and your favorite morning drink. 

From small family farms to big global companies, every provider of coffee is under pressure. The future of every type of coffee – from your go-to ground coffee to special artisan coffee – is at stake. Saving our morning brew and the industr ...

A big problem is brewing that could wipe out real French Brie and Camembert cheese, causing major concerns in the food industry. For manufacturers of cheese, this isn’t just about losing a fancy product – it’s a wake-up call about how fragile our food systems are and why we need to plan ahead to avoid risks.

The smooth, rich texture and soft, edible rind that make soft French cheese like Brie and Camembert so special are now in danger. The reason? A tiny fungus that’s been overused and is now struggling to survive. This isn’t an exaggeration; it’s a real scientific issue that could seri ...

The production of winter sports equipment is a high-precision process that requires a combination of traditional craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology. Skis and snowboards are more than just sports equipment - they are high-tech products whose manufacture places the highest demands on material selection and processing. In this article, we take a look behind the scenes and shed light on the complex processes that lead to the creation of this high-performance sports equipment.

Olive oil, a fundamental ingredient of the Mediterranean diet, has seen a price drop in supermarkets since July 1st, thanks to the Spanish government's reduction of VAT to 0%. Considering this data, europages has conducted an analysis of extra virgin olive oil prices in Europe. Additionally, using information from our B2B supplier platform, we have studied the global demand for olive oil produced in Spain.

The UK government’s net zero strategy has provided impetus for the move towards renewable energy sources. The government recently announced a budget of over £1 billion for the latest renewable electricity auction, with an additional £800 million allocated for offshore wind energy. While renewable energy is already firmly part of the country’s electricity mix, increased adoption by businesses is crucial for the UK to hit its target of achieving net zero by 2050.

Faced with a challenging domestic economy, many UK businesses are turning towards international trade for growth – but this is becoming increasingly difficult due to global conflicts, the impact of Brexit, and supply chain regulation. Here we take a look at the main barriers and what can be done to overcome them.

The EU AI Act, which was approved by the European Parliament in March 2024, lays the foundations for the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the EU. Its goal is to provide “clear requirements and obligations regarding specific uses of AI”, according to EU policymakers. It is also intended to reduce administrative and financial burdens for businesses, in particular small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Act should be fully implemented by 2026. 
The EU AI Act aims to set out a regulatory framework for AI systems, with a focus on safety, privacy and preventing bias and ...

Most experts agree that the UK economy is showing signs of emerging from its recent slump, but the road ahead still appears rocky. With a general election looming and the impact of conflict in Europe and the Middle East still affecting the economy, growth is predicted to be slow. Find out here what the UK’s economic future could look like.

In the ever-changing connectivity landscape, companies are faced with a choice: to deploy their own 5G network or stick with Wi-Fi. Each technology has its advantages, so the choice depends on your specific business needs.

Scientists have developed a water battery that promises to be safer and cheaper than existing energy storage systems. Here you can find out how these batteries work, which raw materials are needed to produce them and how sustainable the current batteries are.

E-learning enables employees to access quality education and training, regardless of their location. This allows them to acquire the skills and qualifications needed to meet the demands of the labour market.

The electrification of transport might be in full swing, but batteries are by no means the number one source of power. E-fuels – synthetic fuels made using renewable energies – could be a sustainable alternative. Find out more here.

Businesses need to be highly adaptable, including in terms of workforce planning. The concept of skills-based organisation promises greater flexibility and better use of resources.

Healthy and motivated employees are usually much more productive. But it’s not just physical health that matters: mental and emotional health are also crucial. Read here what measures companies can take to ensure employee health and wellbeing.

Was it worth the effort? It’s not unusual to ask yourself this after a trade fair. The answer lies in how you prepared for and followed up after the event. Discover what’s important during preparation and follow-up and how to make your appearance a success.

As we head into spring, every day since the start of 2024 has been met with strikes. Is there more to come for B2B companies or is there light at the end of the tunnel? And how can the consequences of widespread strikes be at least partially mitigated? Find out more here.

As of February 2024, the ONS declared that food price inflation had fallen to its lowest level since April 2022. However, many restauranteurs have been forced to increase their prices or face closing their doors to customers. Coupled with elevated energy prices, what can businesses do to protect themselves from rising costs?

Although in-person trade fairs are still preferred by exhibitors, the incorporation of digital elements into events has become firmly established. As a result, there are an increasing number of solutions on the market for managing these additional offerings. Here we take a look at some examples.

A face-to-face trade fair is a challenge for everyone involved: both visitors and exhibitors are under a lot of pressure. By following the rules of trade fair etiquette, you can increase your chances of getting leads and closing deals. Find out here why you need to go beyond good manners.

During the period of strict social distancing guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, digital B2B events were the only alternative to physical trade fairs and similar events. Soon, purely virtual or hybrid offerings were being touted as the sales channel of the future—but some doubts remain.

In view of current global crises, close cooperation among all stakeholders is more important than ever. That's why expansive, strategic supply chain networks need to replace more enterprise-focused supply chain management approaches. Read on to find out more.

Consumer confidence remains low in the UK, due to the ongoing impact of the cost of living crisis and high energy bills. While the fall in inflation in October 2023 was a welcome sign, it’s too early to tell what the longer-term picture will be. At the end of 2023, it still looks likely that the UK could be at risk of a recession.

Sustainability has established itself as a vital aspect of corporate management. However, due to ongoing crises, it’s a topic that is seen by many as less socially relevant these days. Find out here what the prospects are for 2024 and what new obligations companies will face.

Procurement is increasingly moving online, leading to increased demand for a professional online shopping experience. B2B buyers now increasingly expect a seamless ordering process in online shops. In 2024, sellers will have to make a special effort to prepare for and adapt to these expectations.

It’s estimated that more than 350 suppliers for various industries are based in the hardest-hit region near the Gaza Strip alone. A future shortage of the chemical element bromine is just one of the possible consequences of disrupted supply chains.

The prices of raw materials are spiralling out of control, and procurement in Europe is becoming increasingly difficult. To reduce costs and secure supply, companies need their supply chains to be completely transparent. Find out here what that entails.

For many companies, the search for “best cost countries” has long been the driver for globalisation. However, in light of the most recent international crises, this approach is losing ground. Is global sourcing an outdated model, and will it be replaced by regional or local sourcing?