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Euro Leads Extra-EU Trade While Dollar Dominates Energy Imports

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 18, 2026

According to a recent report from Eurostat, the euro remained the leading currency for extra-EU imports of primary goods excluding petroleum in 2025, accounting for 47.4% of total transactions. The United States dollar followed closely with a 45.0% share, highlighting the continued competition between the world’s two dominant trade currencies across international markets.

Strong Performance In Primary Goods Imports

Eurostat data show that the euro continued playing a central role in extra-EU trade involving primary commodities during 2025. Currencies from EU member states outside the eurozone represented just 1.7% of transactions, while other international currencies accounted for the remaining 5.3%, reinforcing the euro’s dominant position in this category.

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USD Dominance In The Energy Sector

In stark contrast, the US dollar overwhelmingly dominated the importation of petroleum products, commanding an 86.7% share in 2025. The euro, while significant in other sectors, lagged substantially in stellar energy trade performance, with only a 12.9% share. Minor roles were played by other EU currencies (0.2%) and non-EU currencies (0.1%), reinforcing the dollar’s preeminence in the energy domain.

Competitive Landscape In Manufacturing Trade

In the realm of manufactured goods, the US dollar again led the way with a 46.2% share of imports. The euro was not far behind, securing 43.3% of the market. Additional contributions came from other EU currencies at 1.7% and non-EU currencies at 8.5%, illustrating the diversified currency usage in this trade segment.

Export Trends: Euro Ascendant Amid Varied Currency Usage

The report further reveals that the euro played a decisive role in extra-EU exports of primary goods, achieving a 62.2% share compared to the US dollar’s 22.9%. Contributions from other domestic EU currencies (2.5%) and non-EU currencies (12.1%) complemented the overall export transactions. In petroleum exports, however, the US dollar remained dominant with a 70.1% share. The euro managed a notable 27.5% share in this energy category.

Manufactured Goods Exports

In manufactured goods exports, the euro maintained its lead with a 50.4% share, while the U.S. dollar represented 32.4% of transactions. Other EU currencies accounted for 1.8%, with non-EU currencies making up the remaining 15.2%, highlighting continued diversification in international trade settlement practices.

The latest Eurostat figures illustrate the euro’s strong position across large segments of extra-EU trade, even as the U.S. dollar continues dominating energy-related transactions and maintains a major role in global manufacturing trade.

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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.