Export & Trade
Shipping Food from Rotterdam and Antwerp
Why so much EU-origin food ships from Rotterdam and Antwerp, and what that means for importers.
29 March 2026 4 min read
Rotterdam and Antwerp are two of Europe's largest ports and the natural loading points for EU-origin food and ingredients. Here is what importers should expect.
Why these ports
Their scale, connectivity and frequent sailings to Africa, the Middle East and beyond make Rotterdam and Antwerp efficient origins for FOB and CIF shipments.
FOB or CIF from origin
We load FOB Rotterdam / Antwerp for buyers who manage their own freight, or quote CIF to your destination port once quantity is confirmed.
Container options
- Full container load (FCL)
- Mixed-container loading
- Reefer for temperature-sensitive dairy and chocolate
Key takeaways
- Rotterdam and Antwerp offer scale and sailings
- FOB and CIF both load from these ports
- Mixed containers suit varied orders
- Reefer is available for sensitive products
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