What this market covers
Dyes and pigments used on seeds, fertilisers and crop treatments for identification and safety. Buyers are seed companies, fertiliser makers and crop protection firms.
Typical segments
- Seed treatment colorants
- Fertiliser colorants
- Marker dyes
- Pesticide colorants
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -33% 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.
- US employment in the core industry shifted -6% since 2020.
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 €153.5 million of products under CN code 32041900 (Synthetic organic colouring matter) from outside the EU in 2025. | 153.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 32041900 were down 33% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€229.9 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -33 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 32041900 to countries outside the EU were worth €159.9 million in 2025. | 159.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 32041900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €296.3 million in 2025. | 296.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 32041900 to the EU in 2025, with €43.0 million, or 28% of extra-EU imports. | 43.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 32041900 to the United States were €10.2 million in 2025. | 10.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 32041900 was €14.78 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 14.78 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 32041900 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €42.4 million. | 42.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 466 enterprises in NACE class C2012 (Manufacture of dyes and pigments) in 2023. | 466 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2012 had net turnover of €10.60 billion in 2023. | 10.60 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2012 employed 25,232 people across the EU in 2023. | 25,232 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 289 private establishments in NAICS 325130 (Synthetic dye and pigment manufacturing) in 2025. | 289 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325130 employed an average of 9,618 people in US private industry in 2025. | 9,618 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325130 changed by -6% between 2020 (10,280 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -6 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325130 was $99,238 in 2025. | 99,238 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
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 32041900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 153522811
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 32041900, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 229900176; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 153522811
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 32041900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 159921102
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 32041900, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 296261720
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 32041900, partner CH, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 42967932
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 32041900, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 10208263
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 32041900, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 153522811, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 103850
- 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 DE, product 32041900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 42361309
- 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 C2012, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 466
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2012, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 10598
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2012, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 25232
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325130, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325130, annual_avg_estabs 289
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325130, annual_avg_emplvl 9618
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 10280; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 9618
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325130, avg_annual_pay 99238
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Seed companies
- Fertiliser makers
- Crop protection firms
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU agricultural colorants market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €153.5 million of goods under CN 32041900 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €159.9 million.
Where does the EU import agricultural colorants from?
Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, China, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of agricultural colorants in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €14.78 per kilogram for CN 32041900 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most agricultural colorants?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Spain, Italy.
How many US companies are in the agricultural colorants industry?
BLS counts 289 private establishments in NAICS 325130 (Synthetic dye and pigment manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the agricultural colorants industry?
Eurostat counts 466 enterprises in NACE class C2012 (Manufacture of dyes and pigments).
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