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EU Recyclable Raw Material Imports Exceed Exports In 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 25, 2026

Overview Of The Current Trade Dynamics

The European Union imported 49.7 million tonnes of recyclable raw materials from non-EU countries in 2025, while exports totaled 36.2 million tonnes, according to data from Eurostat. That imbalance resulted in a net import gap of 13.5 million tonnes for the year, representing a 7.8% increase compared with the previous 12-month period.

Consecutive Trends In Import Reliance

The EU has remained a net importer of recyclable raw materials since records began in 2005. Its smallest import gap was recorded in 2023 at 1.07 million tonnes, compared with a peak of 21 million tonnes in 2006. Despite the recent increase in imports, the current gap remains 35.6% below the historical high.

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Commodity Breakdown And Market Dominance

Scrap metals represented the largest category of recyclable raw material exports, accounting for 18.9 million tonnes or 52.1% of total outbound shipments. Paper and cardboard followed with 6.0 million tonnes, representing 16.5% of exports, while organic materials accounted for 4.4 million tonnes or 12.0%. On the import side, organic materials dominated inbound trade flows at 30.0 million tonnes, equivalent to 60.3% of total imports. Minerals accounted for 8.3 million tonnes, while metal materials totaled 6.3 million tonnes.

Distinct Material Sourcing Patterns

Trade patterns differed significantly across material categories. Industrial metals, paper and cardboard were primarily traded as classified waste materials, while organic materials, largely agricultural by-products, followed different supply patterns. Standard waste represented only a limited share of the organic materials category, accounting for 1.8% of exports and 3.2% of imports.

Key International Trade Routes

Turkey remained the largest destination for EU recyclable raw material exports in 2025, receiving 12.8 million tonnes. India followed with 3.9 million tonnes, while the United Kingdom imported 3.4 million tonnes. Other major export destinations included Egypt, Norway and Switzerland, each receiving between 1.5 million and 1.9 million tonnes. Among import partners, Brazil ranked first with 11.2 million tonnes, followed by Argentina at 8.7 million tonnes and the United Kingdom at 4.4 million tonnes. Ukraine and the United States also remained significant suppliers, exporting 4.0 million tonnes and 2.4 million tonnes respectively.

Strategic Implications For The EU

Latest figures highlight the EU’s continued dependence on imported recyclable raw materials and ongoing shifts in global recycling trade flows. Differences between industrial waste trade and agricultural by-product sourcing also continue to shape the bloc’s broader resource management and recycling supply chains.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

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Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.