What this market covers
Balsa core materials are light end grain balsa panels used as the centre of sandwich composites. Wind blade, boat and aerospace makers use them for stiffness at low weight.
Typical segments
- End grain balsa panels
- Contoured balsa kits
- Wind blade cores
- Marine hull cores
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -67% 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 +11% 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 €1.1 million of products under CN code 44072299 (Virola, imbuia and balsa, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness of) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 44072299 were down 67% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€3.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -67 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 44072299 to countries outside the EU were worth €109 thousand in 2025. | 109 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 44072299 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €21.1 million in 2025. | 21.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Ecuador was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 44072299 to the EU in 2025, with €580 thousand, or 54% of extra-EU imports. | 580 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 44072299 to the United States were €0 thousand in 2025. | 0 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 44072299 was €3.34 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 3.34 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| France was the largest EU exporter of CN 44072299 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €85 thousand. | 85 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 36,014 enterprises in NACE class C1629 (Manufacture of other products of wood; manufacture of articles of cork, straw and plaiting materials) in 2023. | 36,014 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1629 had net turnover of €14.00 billion in 2023. | 14.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1629 employed 103,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 103,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 2,782 private establishments in NAICS 321999 (All other miscellaneous wood product manufacturing) in 2025. | 2,782 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 321999 employed an average of 26,888 people in US private industry in 2025. | 26,888 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 321999 changed by +11% between 2020 (24,306 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +11 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 321999 was $60,945 in 2025. | 60,945 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 44072299, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1073450
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44072299, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 3251775; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1073450
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44072299, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 109385
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44072299, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 21117370
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44072299, partner EC, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 579973
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44072299, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 192
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44072299, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1073450, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 3216
- 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 FR, product 44072299, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 84557
- 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 C1629, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 36014
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1629, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 14000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1629, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 103000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 321999, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 321999, annual_avg_estabs 2782
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 321999, annual_avg_emplvl 26888
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 24306; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 26888
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 321999, avg_annual_pay 60945
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Wind blade makers
- Boat builders
- Aerospace and transport composite 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
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU balsa core materials market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.1 million of goods under CN 44072299 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €109 thousand.
Where does the EU import balsa core materials from?
Ecuador was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Bolivia, Plurinational State of, Papua New Guinea, Cameroon.
What is the average import price of balsa core materials in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €3.34 per kilogram for CN 44072299 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most balsa core materials?
France led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Bulgaria, Denmark.
How many US companies are in the balsa core materials industry?
BLS counts 2,782 private establishments in NAICS 321999 (All other miscellaneous wood product manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the balsa core materials industry?
Eurostat counts 36,014 enterprises in NACE class C1629 (Manufacture of other products of wood; manufacture of articles of cork, straw and plaiting materials).
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