-9 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 29362700 were down 9% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€243.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat43.1 EUR million
EU exports of CN 29362700 to countries outside the EU were worth €43.1 million in 2025.
Eurostat187.0 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 29362700 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €187.0 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -9% 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 +32% since 2020.
What this market covers
Vitamin C in pure form, used in supplements, foods, drinks, cosmetics and animal feed. Food makers, supplement brands and drug makers buy it in bulk.
Typical segments
- Food grade
- Pharma grade
- Cosmetic grade
- Feed grade
Who buys
- Supplement makers
- Food and beverage producers
- Pharmaceutical companies
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| China | 164.7 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 32.0 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 11.1 EUR million |
| Switzerland | 4.5 EUR million |
| Japan | 3.1 EUR million |
| India | 1.9 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €220.6 million of products under CN code 29362700 (Vitamin C and its derivatives, used primarily as vitamins) from outside the EU in 2025. | 220.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 29362700 were down 9% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€243.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -9 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 29362700 to countries outside the EU were worth €43.1 million in 2025. | 43.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 29362700 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €187.0 million in 2025. | 187.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 29362700 to the EU in 2025, with €164.7 million, or 75% of extra-EU imports. | 164.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 29362700 to the United States were €3.0 million in 2025. | 3.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 29362700 was €3.59 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 3.59 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Netherlands was the largest EU exporter of CN 29362700 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €14.3 million. | 14.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 900 enterprises in NACE class C2110 (Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products) in 2023. | 900 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2110 had net turnover of €69.39 billion in 2023. | 69.39 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2110 employed 80,119 people across the EU in 2023. | 80,119 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,443 private establishments in NAICS 325411 (Medicinal and botanical manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,443 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325411 employed an average of 46,010 people in US private industry in 2025. | 46,010 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325411 changed by +32% between 2020 (34,760 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +32 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325411 was $138,279 in 2025. | 138,279 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| PubMed indexed 2,027 papers mentioning "ascorbic acid" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 2,027 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 ascorbic acid market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €220.6 million of goods under CN 29362700 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €43.1 million.
Where does the EU import ascorbic acid from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United Kingdom, United States from 1995 -> 2000), Switzerland.
What is the average import price of ascorbic acid in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €3.59 per kilogram for CN 29362700 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most ascorbic acid?
Netherlands led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, France.
How many US companies are in the ascorbic acid industry?
BLS counts 1,443 private establishments in NAICS 325411 (Medicinal and botanical manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the ascorbic acid industry?
Eurostat counts 900 enterprises in NACE class C2110 (Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products).
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 29362700, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 220595248
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29362700, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 243596169; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 220595248
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29362700, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 43073916
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29362700, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 186991925
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29362700, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 164662754
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29362700, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2994596
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29362700, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 220595248, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 614252
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter NL, product 29362700, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 14274180
- 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 C2110, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 900
- 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 C2110, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 69392
- 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 C2110, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 80119
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325411, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325411, annual_avg_estabs 1443
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325411, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325411, annual_avg_emplvl 46010
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325411, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 34760; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 46010
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325411, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325411, avg_annual_pay 138279
- U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed): PubMed search "ascorbic acid"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
esearch count 2027
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