What this market covers
Ingredients that mask bitter taste and carry flavour compounds in foods, drinks and medicines. Buyers are food makers, beverage brands and nutrition and drug formulators.
Typical segments
- Taste masking agents
- Flavour carriers
- Encapsulated flavours
- Plant based bitter blockers
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -23% 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 +34% 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 €16.7 million of products under CN code 33029010 (Mixtures of odoriferous substances and mixtures based on one or more of these substances,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 16.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 33029010 were down 23% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€21.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -23 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 33029010 to countries outside the EU were worth €91.1 million in 2025. | 91.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 33029010 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €111.8 million in 2025. | 111.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Japan was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 33029010 to the EU in 2025, with €4.3 million, or 26% of extra-EU imports. | 4.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 33029010 to the United States were €3.5 million in 2025. | 3.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 33029010 was €26.39 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 26.39 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Spain was the largest EU exporter of CN 33029010 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €24.6 million. | 24.6 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 350 private establishments in NAICS 311930 (Flavoring syrup and concentrate manufacturing) in 2025. | 350 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 311930 employed an average of 10,118 people in US private industry in 2025. | 10,118 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 311930 changed by +34% between 2020 (7,543 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +34 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 311930 was $104,614 in 2025. | 104,614 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 33029010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 16684476
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 33029010, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 21795050; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 16684476
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 33029010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 91073999
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 33029010, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 111829527
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 33029010, partner JP, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4290714
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 33029010, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3481449
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 33029010, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 16684476, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 6322
- 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 ES, product 33029010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 24626403
- 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 C1089, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 14500
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1089, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 167970
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311930, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311930, annual_avg_estabs 350
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311930, annual_avg_emplvl 10118
- Figure 13
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 7543; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 10118
- Figure 14
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311930, avg_annual_pay 104614
- Figure 11
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Food and beverage makers
- Nutraceutical brands
- Pharmaceutical formulators
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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU bitterness suppressor and flavor carrier market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €16.7 million of goods under CN 33029010 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €91.1 million.
Where does the EU import bitterness suppressor and flavor carrier from?
Japan was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates.
What is the average import price of bitterness suppressor and flavor carrier in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €26.39 per kilogram for CN 33029010 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most bitterness suppressor and flavor carrier?
Spain led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, France.
How many US companies are in the bitterness suppressor and flavor carrier industry?
BLS counts 350 private establishments in NAICS 311930 (Flavoring syrup and concentrate manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the bitterness suppressor and flavor carrier industry?
Eurostat counts 14,500 enterprises in NACE class C1089 (Manufacture of other food products n.e.c.).
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