+144 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 35022091 were up 144% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€88.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat698.4 EUR million
EU exports of CN 35022091 to countries outside the EU were worth €698.4 million in 2025.
Eurostat928.8 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 35022091 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €928.8 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +144% 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 +15% since 2020.
What this market covers
A whey protein fraction used in infant formula and sports nutrition. Buyers value its amino acid profile and similarity to human milk protein.
Typical segments
- Infant formula grade
- Sports nutrition
- Clinical nutrition
- Enriched whey fractions
Who buys
- Infant formula makers
- Sports nutrition brands
- Dairy ingredient processors
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 104.9 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 84.0 EUR million |
| New Zealand | 15.2 EUR million |
| Norway | 8.4 EUR million |
| Australia | 3.0 EUR million |
| China | 0.3 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €216.3 million of products under CN code 35022091 (Milk albumin "lactalbumin", incl. concentrates of two or more whey proteins, containing) from outside the EU in 2025. | 216.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 35022091 were up 144% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€88.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +144 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 35022091 to countries outside the EU were worth €698.4 million in 2025. | 698.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 35022091 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €928.8 million in 2025. | 928.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 35022091 to the EU in 2025, with €104.9 million, or 49% of extra-EU imports. | 104.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 35022091 to the United States were €22.7 million in 2025. | 22.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 35022091 was €13.88 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 13.88 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 35022091 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €321.2 million. | 321.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 9,094 enterprises in NACE class C1051 (Operation of dairies and cheese making) in 2023. | 9,094 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1051 employed 380,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 380,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 294 private establishments in NAICS 311514 (Dry, condensed, and evaporated dairy product manufacturing) in 2025. | 294 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 311514 employed an average of 20,824 people in US private industry in 2025. | 20,824 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 311514 changed by +15% between 2020 (18,165 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +15 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 311514 was $94,948 in 2025. | 94,948 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| PubMed indexed 106 papers mentioning "alpha-lactalbumin" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 106 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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU alpha-lactalbumin market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €216.3 million of goods under CN 35022091 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €698.4 million.
Where does the EU import alpha-lactalbumin from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United States from 1995 -> 2000), New Zealand, Norway.
What is the average import price of alpha-lactalbumin in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €13.88 per kilogram for CN 35022091 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most alpha-lactalbumin?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Poland.
How many US companies are in the alpha-lactalbumin industry?
BLS counts 294 private establishments in NAICS 311514 (Dry, condensed, and evaporated dairy product manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the alpha-lactalbumin industry?
Eurostat counts 9,094 enterprises in NACE class C1051 (Operation of dairies and cheese making).
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 35022091, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 216280280
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35022091, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 88778808; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 216280280
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35022091, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 698425913
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35022091, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 928845379
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35022091, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 104912471
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35022091, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 22651737
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35022091, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 216280280, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 155826
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 35022091, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 321232685
- 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 C1051, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 9094
- 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 C1051, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 380000
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311514, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311514, annual_avg_estabs 294
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311514, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311514, annual_avg_emplvl 20824
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311514, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 18165; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 20824
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311514, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311514, avg_annual_pay 94948
- U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed): PubMed search "alpha-lactalbumin"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
esearch count 106
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