Europe is a significant producer, exporter and consumer of pharmaceutical products. It is an important market for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and complementary and alternative medicinal products.

The market is forecasted to grow partly because Europe has an ageing population. Consumer demand for healthier and more natural products with greater effectiveness is encouraging European companies to invest in research and development and look for natural ingredients.

Natural health products are defined and classified as substances such as vitamins, minerals, supplements, traditional medicines, herbal medicines and homeopathic preparations.

European companies are launching new natural health products, and some are replacing synthetic ingredients with natural ones in product formulations. European consumers are also open to trying complementary and alternative medicines, which is also stimulating demand for natural ingredients. Western European countries have the most opportunities for exporters of natural ingredients for health products in developing countries.

For suppliers of natural ingredients from developing countries, there are many opportunities in the European market. Demand for natural ingredients is increasing, including those from developing countries, especially because many such ingredients have functional and unique properties.

Western European countries such as Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Spain and the Netherlands are the most attractive country markets for suppliers of natural ingredients for health products with Netherlands being an important entry point for these natural ingredients. These countries have the biggest processing sectors and consumer markets. Large companies using natural ingredients to make health products are also located there. Some of the largest producers of supplements and pharmaceuticals are in Western European countries.