## Company Profile WILHELM ROSEBROCK GMBH & CO. KG — freight forwarder based in Germany. Public web profile indicates a traditional German forwarding company (GmbH & Co. KG) serving export/import customers with international freight forwarding and logistics services. Typical service mix for this type of company includes sea and air freight forwarding, road transport, customs clearance and warehousing/contract logistics; family-owned / mid-sized regional operator profile is likely based on company form and website. Head of Sales Management (contact: Theo Czarnecki) — commercial decision‑maker for shippers and exporters. ## Pain Points 1) Space & reliability volatility on Asia–Europe lanes: renewed blank sailings, slow‑steaming and cargo rolling (May 2026) make it hard for Rosebrock to guarantee transit times for clients importing from or exporting to Asia; clients face rolled shipments, extra handling and storage costs and higher working‑capital needs. 2) Rising compliance & documentation burden: CBAM operational from Jan 2026 (fertilisers covered), customs modernisation (EUCA/customs data hub) and tighter SPS/traceability rules increase paperwork, emissions accounting and dual‑market compliance — Rosebrock’s customers (exporters/importers) will need guidance and delivery channels that handle these obligations. 3) Opportunity/capability gap for new export markets: EU–Mercosur provisional application (May 2026) and rising Africa demand create immediate commercial opportunities for German exporters, but converting those opportunities requires market intelligence, buyer matching, rules‑of‑origin handling and on‑the‑ground delivery coordination that a mid‑sized forwarder may not have in‑house. ## Intel Summary === MULTI-DIMENSION RESEARCH === === [MARKET EVENTS] Europe–Asia Container Freight Rates, Blank Sailings & Capacity Shifts (Impact on European Freight Forwarders, early–mid 2026) === **Rate levels & direction (Asia–Europe, Q2 2026)** - Drewry WCI spot from Shanghai to Rotterdam is around **USD 2,170/FEU**, up ~**2% week‑on‑week** in the latest reading (week of 12 May 2026). Shanghai–Genoa is about **USD 3,075/FEU**, up **1% w/w**.([summerwin.com](https://www.summerwin.com/blogs/blank-sailings-cargo-rolling-trans-pacific-asia-europe-2026/?utm_source=openai)) - Carriers have published FAK (Freight All Kinds) **target levels for 15 May 2026** of: - Asia → North Europe: **USD 3,500–4,500/FEU** - Asia → Mediterranean: **~USD 4,500–4,600/FEU** These represent a **60%+ premium over prevailing spot rates**, and market commentators judge them as **unlikely to be fully achieved** given demand conditions.([summerwin.com](https://www.summerwin.com/blogs/blank-sailings-cargo-rolling-trans-pacific-asia-europe-2026/?utm_source=openai)) **Capacity management: blank sailings & slow steaming** - As of late February 2026, alliances had announced **47 blank sailings** across major trades for **March–April 2026**, of which **28 sailings** were on **Asia–Europe** strings.([shippingintelligencehub.com](https://shippingintelligencehub.com/article/carriers-blank-sailings-asia-europe-demand-2026-02-26?utm_source=openai)) - This removes an estimated **180,000–220,000 TEU of weekly capacity** from Asia–Europe (equivalent to **9–11 ULCV voyages**).([shippingintelligencehub.com](https://shippingintelligencehub.com/article/carriers-blank-sailings-asia-europe-demand-2026-02-26?utm_source=openai)) - Weekly Asia–Europe departures are reduced from about **35–40 services to 25–30**, tightening space and sailing frequency.([shippingintelligencehub.com](https://shippingintelligencehub.com/article/carriers-blank-sailings-asia-europe-demand-2026-02-26?utm_source=openai)) - Carriers have simultaneously implemented widespread **slow steaming**: average service speeds on Asia–Europe have dropped from **19–20 knots to 16–17 knots**, effectively cutting **8–10% of capacity** and adding **3–5 days** to transit times.([shippingintelligencehub.com](https://shippingintelligencehub.com/article/carriers-blank-sailings-asia-europe-demand-2026-02-26?utm_source=openai)) - Recent May 2026 analysis notes that **blank sailings have surged again**, particularly on Asia–Europe and Trans‑Pacific, with blank‑sailing intensity in the **second half of May expected to exceed April levels**, further tightening effective capacity.([summerwin.com](https://www.summerwin.com/blogs/blank-sailings-cargo-rolling-trans-pacific-asia-europe-2026/?utm_source=openai)) **Impact on freight rates & volatility** - S&P Global’s 2026 Ocean Freight Outlook projects **softer average container rates in 2026** versus 2024–25 due to structural overcapacity and modest global trade growth (**~1.7%** in 2026), but with **elevated volatility** driven by routing risks (Red Sea/Suez), port congestion and environmental compliance costs.([spglobal.com](https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/02/2026-ocean-freight-outlook-softer-rates-ahead-but-volatility-is-not-going-anywhere?utm_source=openai)) - For Maersk specifically, analysts expect **average loaded freight rates to fall ~13.7% to USD 1,932/FFE in 2026**, even as volumes grow slightly (+2.7% y/y), underlining industry‑wide rate pressure from excess capacity.([spglobal.com](https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/03/maersk-faces-a-tougher-2026-as-container-overcapacity-pressures-freight-rates?utm_source=openai)) **Operational impact & load factors** - After the March–April blank sailings, **Asia–Europe load factors increased** from about **82–85% to 88–92%**, as carriers concentrated demand onto fewer sailings.([shippingintelligencehub.com](https://shippingintelligencehub.com/article/carriers-blank-sailings-asia-europe-demand-2026-02-26?utm_source=openai)) - However, schedule reliability has deteriorated, with **on‑time performance slipping to roughly 55–60%**, as reported in late February 2026.([shippingintelligencehub.com](https://shippingintelligencehub.com/article/carriers-blank-sailings-asia-europe-demand-2026-02-26?utm_source=openai)) - May 2026 reports highlight a **rise in cargo rolling**, including containers being off‑loaded at Busan for weight reasons and rolled to later sailings, creating unpredictable delays and extra handling/storage costs.([summerwin.com](https://www.summerwin.com/blogs/blank-sailings-cargo-rolling-trans-pacific-asia-europe-2026/?utm_source=openai)) **Specific impact on European freight forwarders** - Space & pricing: - Forwarders report that **April–mid‑May 2026 Asia–Europe rates were mostly flat**, with only **~USD 200/TEU of upward movement** in late May, driven more by blank sailings than demand recovery.([summerwin.com](https://www.summerwin.com/blogs/blank-sailings-cargo-rolling-trans-pacific-asia-europe-2026/?utm_source=openai)) - There is a **gap between index rates and real market prices**: on some lanes, published/indices reflect surcharge‑inflated levels, while forwarders still secure **discounted rates**, particularly where competition remains strong (e.g., some Trans‑Pacific corridors).([summerwin.com](https://www.summerwin.com/blogs/blank-sailings-cargo-rolling-trans-pacific-asia-europe-2026/?utm_source=openai)) - Service reliability & planning: - Reduced sailings and increased slow steaming force European forwarders to **book earlier, diversify carriers, and introduce longer lead times** into client planning. - Capacity cascades (ULCVs redeployed to other trades; mid‑sized ships to intra‑Asia/Latin America) are reshaping port calls; smaller European ports face **heightened risk of service loss** or lower call frequency, pushing forwarders toward larger hubs.([shippingintelligencehub.com](https://shippingintelligencehub.com/article/carriers-blank-sailings-asia-europe-demand-2026-02-26?utm_source=openai)) - Risk and working capital: - Longer and more variable transit times increase **inventory‑in‑transit** and safety‑stock requirements for EU importers, elevating working‑capital needs. - To manage volatility, S&P Global recommends shippers/forwarders **blend contract types and lanes** rather than rely on a single benchmark or long‑term contract in 2026.([spglobal.com](https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/02/2026-ocean-freight-outlook-softer-rates-ahead-but-volatility-is-not-going-anywhere?utm_source=openai)) **Key take‑aways for 2026** - Structural overcapacity and gradual normalization of Red Sea/Suez routings are **putting downward pressure on base rates**, but: - Carriers are using **short, sharp blank‑sailing campaigns and slow steaming** to tighten effective supply. - This is generating **episodic rate spikes, frequent cargo rolling, and poorer reliability**, directly impacting European forwarders’ ability to guarantee space and transit times.([shippingintelligencehub.com](https://shippingintelligencehub.com/article/carriers-blank-sailings-asia-europe-demand-2026-02-26?utm_source=openai)) === [DEMAND SIGNALS] Germany’s Agri‑Food Export Demand (Africa, Middle East, EU Intra‑Trade, 2025–2026 Signals) === Direct, fully disaggregated 2026‑YTD agri‑food export data by destination is not yet available; most official releases stop at 2025, but they give strong directional signals for 2026. Where possible, I infer 2026 tendencies from EU‑ and Germany‑level trade and policy documents. **1. Germany’s overall trade/export context (2025–26)** - The German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) notes that in **2025**, Germany’s exports to Iran fell **24.5% y/y**, illustrating sanctions‑ and risk‑driven weakness in some Middle Eastern markets.([destatis.de](https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Economy/Foreign-Trade/_node.html?utm_source=openai)) - About **54.7% of Germany’s export transactions with non‑EU countries** in 2025 were invoiced in euros, underlining continued euroization of external trade (relevant for price competitiveness in Africa/MENA where USD is still dominant).([destatis.de](https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Economy/Foreign-Trade/_node.html?utm_source=openai)) **2. EU‑wide agri‑food trade as a proxy for German trends** - EU agri‑food exports reached a new record in **2025**, with exports representing **9% of total EU exports (EUR 2.6 trillion)**, i.e. about **EUR 234 billion** in agri‑food exports.([agriculture.ec.europa.eu](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/media/news/eu-agri-food-trade-hits-new-records-2025-2026-03-13_de?utm_source=openai)) - Eurostat’s latest news release (12 May 2026) shows that in **2025**: - EU exports of agricultural products increased **1.6% y/y**, while imports grew **9.3% y/y**, leaving a surplus of **EUR 24.7 billion**.([ec.europa.eu](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260512-2?utm_source=openai)) - Main EU export destinations for agricultural goods were: - **United Kingdom: 23.3%** of EU agri exports (EUR 55.6 bn) - **United States: 12.0%** (EUR 28.5 bn) - **Switzerland: 5.7%** (EUR 13.5 bn) - **China: 4.9%** (EUR 11.6 bn)([ec.europa.eu](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260512-2?utm_source=openai)) - Detailed EU monitoring reports show that **Africa and the Middle East together typically account for roughly 15–20% of EU agri‑food exports**, with strong positions in cereals, dairy, processed foods and beverages (e.g., North Africa and the Gulf).([agriculture.ec.europa.eu](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/document/download/d54a50ea-5d8d-4f50-b52f-98b0ade4e8f7_en?filename=monitoring-agri-food-trad_september2025_en.pdf&prefLang=es&utm_source=openai)) Given Germany’s role as one of the top three EU agri‑food exporters, its pattern generally **mirrors the EU aggregate**: - Strong intra‑EU trade (especially to neighboring states and Central/Eastern Europe). - Growing but more volatile exports to **North Africa and the Middle East** (cereals, dairy, meat, processed foods). - Niche but increasing agri‑food flows to **sub‑Saharan Africa**, often linked to processed foods, beverages and specialty products.([agriculture.ec.europa.eu](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/document/download/d54a50ea-5d8d-4f50-b52f-98b0ade4e8f7_en?filename=monitoring-agri-food-trad_september2025_en.pdf&prefLang=es&utm_source=openai)) **3. Africa as a demand destination (signals)** - A January 2026 policy note on EU–Africa agrifood trade highlights **substantial room for expansion of EU (including German) agri‑food exports to Africa over 2026–2035**, especially in processed foods and inputs (fertilizers, seeds), as African demand grows faster than local production capacity.([welthungerhilfe.org](https://www.welthungerhilfe.org/fileadmin/pictures/publications/en/position_papers/agribridge-policy-note-1-january-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - The same document points out that **EU regulatory tightening (e.g., SPS, pesticide MRLs, sustainability criteria)** can be a constraint on African exports to the EU, but it also incentivizes **African buyers to source compliant inputs and processed products from the EU**, indirectly supporting EU/German export demand.([welthungerhilfe.org](https://www.welthungerhilfe.org/fileadmin/pictures/publications/en/position_papers/agribridge-policy-note-1-january-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) **4. Middle East as a demand destination (signals)** - Middle Eastern demand for EU and German cereals, dairy and meat is **structurally high** due to climate and water constraints. - The notable **24.5% fall in German exports to Iran in 2025** reflects **country‑specific risk and sanctions**, not regional demand weakness overall; Gulf markets (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar) and Israel remain **key growth outlets** for higher‑value processed foods.([destatis.de](https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Economy/Foreign-Trade/_node.html?utm_source=openai)) **5. Intra‑EU (Germany ↔ EU partners) agri‑food trade** - Intra‑EU trade remains the **core outlet**: EU monitoring reports typically show that **around two‑thirds of EU agri‑food exports are intra‑EU**, and Germany is one of the main hubs in this internal market (both as exporter and re‑exporter).([agriculture.ec.europa.eu](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/document/download/d54a50ea-5d8d-4f50-b52f-98b0ade4e8f7_en?filename=monitoring-agri-food-trad_september2025_en.pdf&prefLang=es&utm_source=openai)) - For 2025–26, intra‑EU agri‑food flows are **growing modestly (low single‑digit %)**, in line with overall EU export growth of **+1.6%** and relatively stagnant overall merchandise trade.([agriculture.ec.europa.eu](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/media/news/eu-agri-food-trade-hits-new-records-2025-2026-03-13_de?utm_source=openai)) **6. 2026 outlook for German agri‑food exports to Africa, Middle East & EU** Combining the above: - **Volume trend**: - EU‑wide export volumes are growing slowly (**~1–2% annually**), and Germany is likely in that range, with **slightly faster growth for higher‑value products** (processed foods, beverages) than for bulk commodities.([agriculture.ec.europa.eu](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/media/news/eu-agri-food-trade-hits-new-records-2025-2026-03-13_de?utm_source=openai)) - **Destinations**: - **EU Intra‑trade**: Dominant share (likely **>60%** of German agri‑food exports by value), stable or gently increasing. - **Africa & Middle East**: Smaller but **strategically growing markets**, with policy initiatives specifically calling out Germany/EU as a **major supplier to Africa** over 2026‑2035.([welthungerhilfe.org](https://www.welthungerhilfe.org/fileadmin/pictures/publications/en/position_papers/agribridge-policy-note-1-january-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - **Demand drivers**: - Population and income growth in Africa/MENA, plus domestic production constraints, support **rising import demand** for food staples and processed foods. - Germany’s strong position in **food processing, machinery and inputs** (e.g., fertilizers, equipment) further bolsters indirect agrifood‑related exports to these regions.([agriculture.ec.europa.eu](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/document/download/d54a50ea-5d8d-4f50-b52f-98b0ade4e8f7_en?filename=monitoring-agri-food-trad_september2025_en.pdf&prefLang=es&utm_source=openai)) **Data gap note:** - Granular, product‑level 2026 German agri‑food export volumes by destination (Africa, Middle East, intra‑EU) have not yet been published by Destatis or the EU for more than isolated partner examples. The above uses the latest EU‑level 2025 data plus early‑2026 policy/trade analyses as directional indicators.([ec.europa.eu](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260512-2?utm_source=openai)) === [TIMING SIGNALS] EU Trade Policy & Customs Changes 2026 Affecting Agri‑Food Exports (SPS, Green Deal, CBAM) === **1. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) – from 1 January 2026** - As of **1 January 2026**, CBAM has become a **fully operational, enforceable financial obligation**: EU importers of covered goods must **purchase CBAM certificates** corresponding to embedded CO₂ emissions.([maersk.com.cn](https://www.maersk.com.cn/insights/resilience/2026/02/06/customs-regulations-changes-2026?utm_source=openai)) - Initially, CBAM applies to **carbon‑intensive products** (steel, cement, aluminium, fertilizers, electricity, hydrogen, some precursors). While most basic agri‑food products are not yet covered, two timing signals matter for agri‑food: - **Fertilizers**: CBAM already covers fertilizers; this impacts the **cost base of EU agriculture and agri‑food processing**, potentially influencing export pricing and competitiveness from 2026 onward.([pwc.com](https://www.pwc.com/m1/en/publications/2025/docs/eu-cbam-implications-for-fertilisers-and-possible-extension-to-other-sectors.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - **Scope extension**: The Commission is preparing a **new legislative proposal in early 2026** to extend CBAM to additional ETS sectors and downstream goods, with **polymers and organic chemicals** explicitly mentioned as candidates. Some processed food ingredients and packaging materials may be indirectly affected, raising input costs for EU agri‑food exporters.([pwc.com](https://www.pwc.com/m1/en/publications/2025/docs/eu-cbam-implications-for-fertilisers-and-possible-extension-to-other-sectors.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Payments for 2026 CBAM obligations will be **settled in 2027**, but **pricing, contract terms, and customs documentation requirements already changed from 1 January 2026**, affecting how exporters and importers structure contracts and allocate costs.([maersk.com.cn](https://www.maersk.com.cn/insights/resilience/2026/02/06/customs-regulations-changes-2026?utm_source=openai)) **2. Modernisation of the EU Customs Union (Customs Data Hub, EUCA) – 26 March 2026 political agreement** - On **26 March 2026**, the Council and European Parliament reached political agreement on major reforms to **modernise the EU customs union**, including: - Creation of an **EU Customs Authority (EUCA)**. - Establishment of an **EU customs data hub** to centralise and continuously update import and export data.([consilium.europa.eu](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/modernising-the-eu-customs-union/?utm_source=openai)) - Objectives: - **Facilitate legitimate trade**, improve **risk‑based controls**, and prevent unsafe or non‑compliant goods from entering the EU. - Introduce new rules, such as for **small‑parcel customs duties** (relevant for e‑commerce food shipments and samples).([consilium.europa.eu](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/modernising-the-eu-customs-union/?utm_source=openai)) - Timing signal for agri‑food exporters: - Implementation will be **phased over several years**, but exporters must anticipate **more data‑intensive customs filing**, greater emphasis on **supply‑chain transparency**, and **stricter enforcement of SPS and Green‑Deal‑related requirements**, especially for higher‑risk food categories.([consilium.europa.eu](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/modernising-the-eu-customs-union/?utm_source=openai)) **3. Green Deal – Trade‑Relevant Elements (incl. agri‑food)** - CBAM (above) is one of the flagship Green Deal instruments with immediate trade implications from **2026**.([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EU_Carbon_Border_Adjustment_Mechanism?utm_source=openai)) - Other Green Deal components affecting agri‑food exports are moving through legislation and implementation: - **Deforestation‑free products regulation (EUDR)** – though formally adopted earlier, its **enforcement window runs into 2025–26**, shaping exporters’ sourcing rules for commodities like coffee, cocoa, palm oil, soy and beef. This changes the **compliance burden and traceability expectations** for EU food companies trading into and out of the EU. - Enhanced **sustainability and climate reporting** obligations under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) reinforce expectations for **Scope 3 and supply‑chain emissions disclosure**, affecting exporters’ documentation and risk management. (These are broader corporate rules, but heavily impact agri‑food given its land‑use and emissions profile.)([agriculture.ec.europa.eu](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/media/news/eu-agri-food-trade-hits-new-records-2025-2026-03-13_de?utm_source=openai)) **4. SPS (Sanitary & Phytosanitary) and related trade disciplines – ongoing tightening** Although SPS rules are negotiated under the WTO, EU policy increasingly embeds **stringent SPS and sustainability conditions** into its bilateral and regional trade agreements and unilateral measures: - WTO SPS Committee reviews (completed in 2025) emphasize **transparency, science‑based controls, and addressing new SPS risks** (AMR, emerging pathogens, innovative regulatory approaches). This global agenda aligns with the EU’s **risk‑averse, precautionary SPS stance** and supports further tightening over 2026 and beyond.([ustr.gov](https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Releases/2026/2026%20Trade%20Policy%20Agenda%202025%20Annual%20Report.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - In practice, for 2026: - Agri‑food exporters to the EU face **stricter documentation**, more frequent **residue and pathogen testing**, and **higher expectations for traceability and certification**, particularly for animal products, fruits and vegetables, and processed foods containing sensitive ingredients. - EU exporters shipping to partners (e.g., Africa, Mercosur, Middle East) must **align with partner SPS regimes** while also meeting EU’s outbound control obligations, increasing dual‑compliance complexity.([agriculture.ec.europa.eu](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/media/news/eu-agri-food-trade-hits-new-records-2025-2026-03-13_de?utm_source=openai)) **5. New trade agreements with direct agri‑food impacts – EU–Mercosur (from 1 May 2026)** - The **EU–Mercosur trade agreement** begins **provisional application on 1 May 2026**, creating a market of about **700 million people**.([commission.europa.eu](https://commission.europa.eu/topics/trade/eu-mercosur-trade-agreement_en?utm_source=openai)) - Tariff changes: - **91% of tariff lines for EU exports to Mercosur** will be **eliminated over time**, with an initial **first tariff cut for most agri‑food products** (e.g., wine, spirits, olive oil) from the start of provisional application.([policy.trade.ec.europa.eu](https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-mercosur-interim-trade-agreement-starts-provisionally-apply-2026-04-30_en?utm_source=openai)) - EU agri‑food exports to Mercosur are expected to **increase by ~50%, or about EUR 1.2 billion** in additional export value, once the agreement is fully implemented.([commission.europa.eu](https://commission.europa.eu/topics/trade/eu-mercosur-trade-agreement_en?utm_source=openai)) - For EU agri‑food exporters, 2026 is therefore a **critical timing window** to: - Adjust **rules‑of‑origin and customs classification** to benefit from staged tariff cuts starting May 2026. - Ensure **SPS and quality standards** are met for new or expanded product lines entering Mercosur, as the agreement includes **SPS chapters and dialogues** that will evolve over time.([policy.trade.ec.europa.eu](https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-mercosur-interim-trade-agreement-starts-provisionally-apply-2026-04-30_en?utm_source=openai)) **6. Practical timing implications for agri‑food exporters in 2026** - **Q1 2026**: - CBAM fully in force (financial obligations start accruing for covered inputs). - Customs union reform political agreement reached; planning phase begins for data‑hub integration.([consilium.europa.eu](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/modernising-the-eu-customs-union/?utm_source=openai)) - **Q2 2026 (from 1 May)**: - EU–Mercosur deal provisionally applies, with immediate tariff reductions for many agri‑food products and a clear timeline for further cuts.([policy.trade.ec.europa.eu](https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-mercosur-interim-trade-agreement-starts-provisionally-apply-2026-04-30_en?utm_source=openai)) - **Throughout 2026**: - Expected **proposals for CBAM scope extension** (incl. more chemicals/polymers) and incremental implementation of Green Deal‑related regulations, raising compliance costs and traceability demands in food value chains.([pwc.com](https://www.pwc.com/m1/en/publications/2025/docs/eu-cbam-implications-for-fertilisers-and-possible-extension-to-other-sectors.pdf?utm_source=openai)) For exporters, 2026 is thus a **pivot year** when: - Carbon‑related costs start to become **monetized at the border** (CBAM), - Customs processes move toward **centralised, data‑driven control**, and - New market‑opening agreements (notably **EU–Mercosur**) create **fresh agri‑food export opportunities** but with stringent SPS and sustainability conditions. Sources: • Blank Sailings Surge: Cargo Rolling Hits Trans-Pacific & Asia-Europe https://www.summerwin.com/blogs/blank-sailings-cargo-rolling-trans-pacific-asia-europe-2026/?utm_source=openai • Carriers Intensify Blank Sailings as Asia-Europe Demand Softens | Shipping Intelligence Hub | Shipping Intelligence Hub https://shippingintelligencehub.com/article/carriers-blank-sailings-asia-europe-demand-2026-02-26?utm_source=openai • 2026 Ocean Freight Outlook: Softer Rates Ahead, but Volatility Isn’t Going Anywhere | S&P Global https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/02/2026-ocean-freight-outlook-softer-rates-ahead-but-volatility-is-not-going-anywhere?utm_source=openai • Maersk faces a tougher 2026 as container overcapacity pressures freight rates | S&P Global https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/2026/03/maersk-faces-a-tougher-2026-as-container-overcapacity-pressures-freight-rates?utm_source=openai • Foreign trade - German Federal Statistical Office https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Economy/Foreign-Trade/_node.html?utm_source=openai • EU Agri-food Trade Hits New Records in 2025 - Agriculture and rural development https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/media/news/eu-agri-food-trade-hits-new-records-2025-2026-03-13_de?utm_source=openai • Trade in agricultural products: €24.7 billion surplus - News articles - Eurostat https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260512-2?utm_source=openai • MONITORING EU AGRI-FOOD TRADE DEVELOPMENTS in June 2025 Publication: September 2025 | https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/document/download/d54a50ea-5d8d-4f50-b52f-98b0ade4e8f7_en?filename=monitoring-agri-food-trad_september2025_en.pdf&prefLang=es&utm_source=openai • January 2026 https://www.welthungerhilfe.org/fileadmin/pictures/publications/en/position_papers/agribridge-policy-note-1-january-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai • Customs Regulations Changes 2026 | Maersk https://www.maersk.com.cn/insights/resilience/2026/02/06/customs-regulations-changes-2026?utm_source=openai • CBAM implications for fertilizers and https://www.pwc.com/m1/en/publications/2025/docs/eu-cbam-implications-for-fertilisers-and-possible-extension-to-other-sectors.pdf?utm_source=openai • Modernising the EU customs union - Consilium https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/modernising-the-eu-customs-union/?utm_source=openai • EU-Mercosur interim trade agreement starts to provisionally apply - Trade and Economic Security https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-mercosur-interim-trade-agreement-starts-provisionally-apply-2026-04-30_en?utm_source=openai"