Market
2026 trends: the exotic fruit and vegetables gaining ground
Avocado, pomegranate, sweet potato, mango: exotic fruit and vegetables are taking up an increasingly visible place on European shelves. How do you find your way, and which ones should you add to your range?
Why exotic is growing
Several factors support demand: interest in world cuisines, the search for products seen as healthy, a taste for novelty and the desire to vary meals. For professionals, these products are also a way to energise their shelves.
Products to watch
- Avocado: now a must-have, with complementary origins in the southern hemisphere, such as Peru, which make it possible to cover a large part of the year.
- Pomegranate: a seasonal fruit, notably from Egypt and Spain, appreciated for its appearance and its culinary uses.
- Sweet potato: very present on plates, with orange- or purple-fleshed varieties.
- Mango: a classic that keeps on winning people over, with several varieties and origins depending on the period.
How to add them to your range
- start with one or two items, then expand according to sales;
- adapt volumes to the shelf's actual rotation;
- monitor ripeness on arrival and at sale;
- inform the customer: origin, use, storage tips.
Points to watch
Prices can vary with harvests and transport conditions, and quality depends heavily on season and origin. Relying on a partner able to offer several origins helps maintain a consistent offer.
Key takeaways
Exotic is no longer a niche: well chosen, in step with the seasons, it can become a real growth driver for your shelf.
