+34 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 39241000 were up 34% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€856.0 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat491.2 EUR million
EU exports of CN 39241000 to countries outside the EU were worth €491.2 million in 2025.
Eurostat1.95 EUR billion
Trade between EU member states in CN 39241000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.95 billion in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +34% 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 -1% since 2020.
What this market covers
Forks, knives and spoons made from plant starch, wood or other materials that break down after use. Buyers are restaurants, caterers and retailers.
Typical segments
- Starch based cutlery
- PLA cutlery
- Wooden cutlery
- Bamboo cutlery
Who buys
- Restaurants and caterers
- Food delivery firms
- Retailers
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| China | 784.7 EUR million |
| Türkiye | 131.6 EUR million |
| Thailand | 24.1 EUR million |
| India | 23.6 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 21.6 EUR million |
| Taiwan | 21.5 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €1.15 billion of products under CN code 39241000 (Tableware and kitchenware, of plastics) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.15 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 39241000 were up 34% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€856.0 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +34 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39241000 to countries outside the EU were worth €491.2 million in 2025. | 491.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 39241000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.95 billion in 2025. | 1.95 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 39241000 to the EU in 2025, with €784.7 million, or 68% of extra-EU imports. | 784.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39241000 to the United States were €41.2 million in 2025. | 41.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 39241000 was €4.27 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 4.27 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 39241000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €67.5 million. | 67.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 23,690 enterprises in NACE class C2229 (Manufacture of other plastic products) in 2023. | 23,690 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2229 had net turnover of €95.00 billion in 2023. | 95.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2229 employed 550,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 550,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 6,540 private establishments in NAICS 326199 (All other plastics product manufacturing) in 2025. | 6,540 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 326199 employed an average of 287,654 people in US private industry in 2025. | 287,654 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 326199 changed by -1% between 2020 (289,590 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -1 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 326199 was $67,851 in 2025. | 67,851 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
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 biodegradable cutlery market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.15 billion of goods under CN 39241000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €491.2 million.
Where does the EU import biodegradable cutlery from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were Türkiye, Thailand, India.
What is the average import price of biodegradable cutlery in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €4.27 per kilogram for CN 39241000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most biodegradable cutlery?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Belgium.
How many US companies are in the biodegradable cutlery industry?
BLS counts 6,540 private establishments in NAICS 326199 (All other plastics product manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the biodegradable cutlery industry?
Eurostat counts 23,690 enterprises in NACE class C2229 (Manufacture of other plastic 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 39241000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1146437948
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39241000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 855994033; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1146437948
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39241000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 491168950
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39241000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1948443616
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39241000, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 784666566
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39241000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 41180380
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39241000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1146437948, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 2686984
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 39241000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 67517415
- 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 C2229, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 23690
- 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 C2229, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 95000
- 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 C2229, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 550000
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326199, annual_avg_estabs 6540
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326199, annual_avg_emplvl 287654
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 289590; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 287654
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326199, avg_annual_pay 67851
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