-6 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 21061020 were down 6% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€139.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat157.4 EUR million
EU exports of CN 21061020 to countries outside the EU were worth €157.4 million in 2025.
Eurostat573.3 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 21061020 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €573.3 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -6% 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 +22% since 2020.
What this market covers
Protein concentrates from microalgae such as spirulina and chlorella, used in foods and drinks. Buyers are alternative protein brands, beverage makers and sports nutrition firms.
Typical segments
- Spirulina protein
- Chlorella protein
- Protein isolates
- Blended protein powders
Who buys
- Alternative protein brands
- Beverage makers
- Sports nutrition firms
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| Serbia | 44.6 EUR million |
| China | 32.9 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 24.9 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 19.4 EUR million |
| Moldova, Republic of | 1.4 EUR million |
| India | 1.3 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €131.4 million of products under CN code 21061020 (Protein concentrates and textured protein substances, not containing milkfats, sucrose,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 131.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 21061020 were down 6% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€139.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -6 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 21061020 to countries outside the EU were worth €157.4 million in 2025. | 157.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 21061020 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €573.3 million in 2025. | 573.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Serbia was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 21061020 to the EU in 2025, with €44.6 million, or 34% of extra-EU imports. | 44.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 21061020 to the United States were €21.9 million in 2025. | 21.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 21061020 was €2.50 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.50 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 21061020 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €28.9 million. | 28.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 14,500 enterprises in NACE class C1089 (Manufacture of other food products n.e.c.) in 2023. | 14,500 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1089 employed 167,970 people across the EU in 2023. | 167,970 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 2,298 private establishments in NAICS 311999 (All other miscellaneous food manufacturing) in 2025. | 2,298 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 311999 employed an average of 44,312 people in US private industry in 2025. | 44,312 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 311999 changed by +22% between 2020 (36,403 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +22 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 311999 was $75,426 in 2025. | 75,426 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| PubMed indexed 7 papers mentioning "microalgae protein" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 7 papers | 2025 | U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed) |
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 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 algae protein market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €131.4 million of goods under CN 21061020 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €157.4 million.
Where does the EU import algae protein from?
Serbia was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were China, United States from 1995 -> 2000), United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of algae protein in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.50 per kilogram for CN 21061020 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most algae protein?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Spain.
How many US companies are in the algae protein industry?
BLS counts 2,298 private establishments in NAICS 311999 (All other miscellaneous food manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the algae protein industry?
Eurostat counts 14,500 enterprises in NACE class C1089 (Manufacture of other food products n.e.c.).
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)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21061020, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 131429565
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21061020, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 139638933; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 131429565
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21061020, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 157390157
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21061020, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 573256287
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21061020, partner XS, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 44599512
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21061020, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 21940548
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21061020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 131429565, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 525581
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 21061020, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 28941387
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1089, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 14500
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1089, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 167970
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311999, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311999, annual_avg_estabs 2298
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311999, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311999, annual_avg_emplvl 44312
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311999, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 36403; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 44312
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311999, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311999, avg_annual_pay 75426
- U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed): PubMed search "microalgae protein"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
esearch count 7
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