United States was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Fine sterile single use needles used by practitioners for acupuncture. Clinics, therapists and medical suppliers buy them.
Typical segments
- Stainless steel needles
- Needles with guide tubes
- Silicone handled needles
- Press needles
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 51% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €6.14 billion of products under CN code 90183900 (Needles, catheters, cannulae and the like, used in medical, surgical, dental or) from outside the EU in 2025. | 6.14 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 90183900 were up 51% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€4.06 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +51 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90183900 to countries outside the EU were worth €8.03 billion in 2025. | 8.03 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 90183900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €10.55 billion in 2025. | 10.55 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 90183900 to the EU in 2025, with €1.97 billion, or 32% of extra-EU imports. | 1.97 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90183900 to the United States were €3.55 billion in 2025. | 3.55 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 90183900 was €84.50 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 84.50 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Ireland was the largest EU exporter of CN 90183900 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €3.40 billion. | 3.40 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 63,227 enterprises in NACE class C3250 (Manufacture of medical and dental instruments and supplies) in 2023. | 63,227 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C3250 had net turnover of €105.31 billion in 2021. | 105.31 EUR billion | 2021 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C3250 employed 600,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 600,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 4,547 private establishments in NAICS 339112 (Surgical and medical instrument manufacturing) in 2025. | 4,547 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 339112 employed an average of 140,413 people in US private industry in 2025. | 140,413 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 339112 changed by +4% between 2020 (135,655 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +4 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 339112 was $109,475 in 2025. | 109,475 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| The FDA has recorded 32 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle". | 32 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| American Institute Of Koryo Hand Therapy holds 5 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle". | 5 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Helio Medical Supplies, Inc. holds 4 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle". | 4 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Acusupply, Inc. holds 3 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle". | 3 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| United Pacific Co., Ltd. holds 3 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle". | 3 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Acupuncture Supplies Import Co. holds 2 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle". | 2 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Acu-Med, Inc. holds 1 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle". | 1 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| PubMed indexed 2,538 papers mentioning "acupuncture" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 2,538 papers | 2025 | U.S. National Library of Medicine |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90183900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6135207496
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90183900, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 4063352049; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 6135207496
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90183900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 8032629836
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90183900, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 10545156208
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90183900, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1973619788
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90183900, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3553875473
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90183900, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6135207496, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 726095
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter IE, product 90183900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3397650660
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3250, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 63227
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3250, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2021, 105308
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3250, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 600000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 339112, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339112, annual_avg_estabs 4547
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339112, annual_avg_emplvl 140413
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 135655; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 140413
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339112, avg_annual_pay 109475
- Figure 12
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: openFDA 510(k) clearances, device_name "acupuncture needle" (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 16
openFDA device/510k device_name:"acupuncture needle", sum of counts by decision_date = 32
- Figure 16
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: openFDA 510(k) clearances by applicant, device_name "acupuncture needle" (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 17
applicant.exact "American Institute of Koryo Hand Therapy" count 5
- Figure 18
applicant.exact "Helio Medical Supplies, Inc." count 4
- Figure 19
applicant.exact "Acusupply, Inc." count 3
- Figure 20
applicant.exact "United Pacific Co., Ltd." count 3
- Figure 21
applicant.exact "Acupuncture Supplies Import Co." count 2
- Figure 22
applicant.exact "Acu-Med, Inc." count 1
- Figure 17
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed search "acupuncture"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 23
esearch count 2538
- Figure 23
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Acupuncture clinics
- Physiotherapists
- Medical suppliers
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
Companies to watch
American Institute Of Koryo Hand Therapy
5 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle".
Helio Medical Supplies, Inc.
4 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle".
Acusupply, Inc.
3 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle".
United Pacific Co., Ltd.
3 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle".
Acupuncture Supplies Import Co.
2 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle".
Acu-Med, Inc.
1 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "acupuncture needle".
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU acupuncture needles market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €6.14 billion of goods under CN 90183900 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €8.03 billion.
Where does the EU import acupuncture needles from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Mexico, Costa Rica, China.
What is the average import price of acupuncture needles in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €84.50 per kilogram for CN 90183900 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most acupuncture needles?
Ireland led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Germany.
How many acupuncture needles devices are cleared by the FDA?
openFDA lists 32 510(k) clearances for devices named acupuncture needle.
Which companies hold the most FDA clearances for acupuncture needles?
By 510(k) count: American Institute Of Koryo Hand Therapy, Helio Medical Supplies, Inc., Acusupply, Inc., United Pacific Co., Ltd..
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