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Eurostat’s February 2026 Retail Report: Divergent Trends Across Europe

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Overview Of European Retail Activity

Eurostat data show a slight decline in retail trade across the euro area and the European Union in February 2026, with uneven performance across member states. While overall volumes decreased, several markets, including Cyprus and Malta, recorded growth.

Monthly Performance Insights

Seasonally adjusted data indicate that retail trade volume fell by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU compared with January 2026. January figures had remained broadly stable, suggesting that consumer activity slowed slightly at the start of the year rather than reversing sharply.

Sector-Specific Breakdown

Category-level data show mixed performance across segments. Food, drinks, and tobacco volumes declined by 0.5% in the euro area. Non-food products excluding automotive fuel remained stable, indicating limited movement in discretionary spending. Automotive fuel sales increased by 0.7% in the euro area and 1.0% in the EU, partially offsetting declines in other categories.

Divergent National Trends

Performance varied across member states. Cyprus recorded a 0.8% increase in retail trade, matching Portugal. Malta reported the strongest monthly growth at 2.0%, followed by Bulgaria at 1.0%. At the same time, declines were recorded in Lithuania at 2.5%, Poland at 2.4%, and Slovenia at 2.0%, reflecting differences in consumer demand across markets.

Annual Trends And Market Resilience

Year-over-year data show moderate growth despite monthly declines. Retail sales increased by 1.7% in both the euro area and the EU compared with February 2025. Food, drinks, and tobacco recorded annual growth of 1.0% in the euro area. Non-food products rose by 2.3%, while automotive fuel sales increased by 1.4% in the euro area and 1.6% in the EU.

Conclusion

February data point to slower short-term retail activity alongside continued annual growth. Differences across sectors and countries suggest that consumer demand remains uneven across the region, with some markets continuing to expand while others contract.

EU Fertiliser Costs Return To Growth In Late 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Rising Costs In Agricultural Inputs

Recent Eurostat figures reveal that the European Union experienced an 8% year-on-year increase in the average price of fertilisers and soil improvers during the fourth quarter of 2025. This marks a definitive return to an upward cost trajectory following a temporary period of relief for continental farmers.

Market Dynamics In Chemical Nutrition

Prices for fertilisers and related agricultural inputs have remained volatile in recent years, driven largely by supply chain disruptions and higher natural gas prices. The sector experienced sharp price increases in 2021 and 2022 before recording a gradual decline throughout 2023 and 2024. During 2025, however, prices increased steadily across all four quarters, signaling renewed cost pressure for farmers across the EU.

Geographic Disparities In Price Fluctuations

Price increases were recorded in 24 of the EU’s 27 member states during the fourth quarter of 2025. Romania reported the sharpest increase, with fertiliser and soil improver prices rising 16.8% year-on-year. Ireland and the Netherlands also recorded significant increases of 15.3% and 12.1% respectively. By contrast, Bulgaria recorded the largest decline, with prices falling 6.1%. Smaller decreases were reported in Croatia and Lithuania, where prices declined 0.2% in both countries


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