What this market covers
Dried, ground and extracted plant materials sold as inputs to foods, drinks, supplements and personal care. Buyers are manufacturers and private label brands.
Typical segments
- Dried herbs and roots
- Powders
- Extracts
- Flavour and fragrance botanicals
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +110% 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 +19% 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 €1.03 billion of products under CN code 12119086 (Plants and parts of plants, incl. seeds and fruits, used primarily in perfumery, in) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.03 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 12119086 were up 110% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€487.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +110 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 12119086 to countries outside the EU were worth €271.8 million in 2025. | 271.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 12119086 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €644.0 million in 2025. | 644.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Canada was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 12119086 to the EU in 2025, with €280.7 million, or 27% of extra-EU imports. | 280.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 12119086 to the United States were €57.4 million in 2025. | 57.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 12119086 was €7.59 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 7.59 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 12119086 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €102.3 million. | 102.3 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 750 private establishments in NAICS 311942 (Spice and extract manufacturing) in 2025. | 750 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 311942 employed an average of 29,504 people in US private industry in 2025. | 29,504 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 311942 changed by +19% between 2020 (24,729 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +19 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 311942 was $84,904 in 2025. | 84,904 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 12119086, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1026554347
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 12119086, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 487845509; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1026554347
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 12119086, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 271764980
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 12119086, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 643988675
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 12119086, partner CA, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 280706661
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 12119086, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 57428955
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 12119086, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1026554347, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1353117
- 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 DE, product 12119086, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 102349393
- 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 311942, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311942, annual_avg_estabs 750
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311942, annual_avg_emplvl 29504
- Figure 13
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 24729; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 29504
- Figure 14
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311942, avg_annual_pay 84904
- Figure 11
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Supplement brands
- Food and beverage makers
- Personal care brands
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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU botanical ingredients market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.03 billion of goods under CN 12119086 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €271.8 million.
Where does the EU import botanical ingredients from?
Canada was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, China, Switzerland.
What is the average import price of botanical ingredients in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €7.59 per kilogram for CN 12119086 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most botanical ingredients?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Poland, Spain.
How many US companies are in the botanical ingredients industry?
BLS counts 750 private establishments in NAICS 311942 (Spice and extract manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the botanical ingredients industry?
Eurostat counts 14,500 enterprises in NACE class C1089 (Manufacture of other food products n.e.c.).
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