What this market covers
Cubes, powders, pastes and liquids made from meat, vegetables and seasoning that add stock flavour to cooking. Buyers are households and food service kitchens.
Typical segments
- Cubes
- Powders and granules
- Liquid and paste concentrates
- Organic and low salt stock
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -12% 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 €100.2 million of products under CN code 21041000 (Soups and broths and preparations therefor) from outside the EU in 2025. | 100.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 21041000 were down 12% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€114.5 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -12 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 21041000 to countries outside the EU were worth €337.9 million in 2025. | 337.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 21041000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €911.8 million in 2025. | 911.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 21041000 to the EU in 2025, with €27.7 million, or 28% of extra-EU imports. | 27.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 21041000 to the United States were €20.0 million in 2025. | 20.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 21041000 was €4.31 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 4.31 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Spain was the largest EU exporter of CN 21041000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €134.3 million. | 134.3 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 21041000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 100208615
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21041000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 114514129; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 100208615
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21041000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 337900422
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21041000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 911776172
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21041000, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 27664900
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21041000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 19992179
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 21041000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 100208615, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 232436
- 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 21041000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 134265519
- 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
- Supermarkets
- Food service kitchens
- Food manufacturers
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 bouillon market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €100.2 million of goods under CN 21041000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €337.9 million.
Where does the EU import bouillon from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Switzerland, Japan, Thailand.
What is the average import price of bouillon in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €4.31 per kilogram for CN 21041000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most bouillon?
Spain led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Ireland.
How many US companies are in the bouillon industry?
BLS counts 750 private establishments in NAICS 311942 (Spice and extract manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the bouillon industry?
Eurostat counts 14,500 enterprises in NACE class C1089 (Manufacture of other food products n.e.c.).
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