What this market covers
Pre cut wires and cables fitted with connectors and terminals for use inside machines, vehicles and electronics. Device and vehicle makers buy them built to drawing.
Typical segments
- Wire harnesses
- Coaxial assemblies
- Power cord assemblies
- Fiber and data assemblies
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +44% 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 +13% 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 €4.78 billion of products under CN code 85444290 (Electric conductors, for a voltage <= 1.000 V, insulated, fitted with connectors, n.e.s.) from outside the EU in 2025. | 4.78 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 85444290 were up 44% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€3.32 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +44 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 85444290 to countries outside the EU were worth €3.05 billion in 2025. | 3.05 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 85444290 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €6.91 billion in 2025. | 6.91 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 85444290 to the EU in 2025, with €2.30 billion, or 48% of extra-EU imports. | 2.30 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 85444290 to the United States were €542.1 million in 2025. | 542.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 85444290 was €19.84 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 19.84 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 85444290 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €1.17 billion. | 1.17 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 1,700 enterprises in NACE class C2732 (Manufacture of other electronic and electric wires and cables) in 2023. | 1,700 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2732 had net turnover of €43.50 billion in 2023. | 43.50 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2732 employed 93,439 people across the EU in 2023. | 93,439 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 337 private establishments in NAICS 335929 (Other communication and energy wire manufacturing) in 2025. | 337 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 335929 employed an average of 13,017 people in US private industry in 2025. | 13,017 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 335929 changed by +13% between 2020 (11,536 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +13 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 335929 was $81,046 in 2025. | 81,046 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 85444290, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4783897028
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85444290, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 3324519621; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 4783897028
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85444290, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3053347632
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85444290, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6911861106
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85444290, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2301515966
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85444290, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 542143130
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85444290, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4783897028, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 2410917
- 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 85444290, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1169873340
- 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 C2732, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1700
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2732, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 43499
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2732, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 93439
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 335929, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335929, annual_avg_estabs 337
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335929, annual_avg_emplvl 13017
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 11536; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 13017
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335929, avg_annual_pay 81046
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Automotive makers
- Electronics makers
- Industrial equipment makers
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 cable assembly market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €4.78 billion of goods under CN 85444290 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €3.05 billion.
Where does the EU import cable assembly from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, Serbia, Tunisia.
What is the average import price of cable assembly in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €19.84 per kilogram for CN 85444290 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cable assembly?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Italy.
How many US companies are in the cable assembly industry?
BLS counts 337 private establishments in NAICS 335929 (Other communication and energy wire manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cable assembly industry?
Eurostat counts 1,700 enterprises in NACE class C2732 (Manufacture of other electronic and electric wires and cables).
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