China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Wax candles for light, scent and decoration, including scented jars, pillars and tealights. Buyers are households, gift shops and hospitality venues.
Typical segments
- Scented candles
- Pillar candles
- Tealights
- Taper candles
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 39% 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.
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 €441.3 million of products under CN code 34060000 (Candles, tapers and the like) from outside the EU in 2025. | 441.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 34060000 were up 39% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€317.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +39 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 34060000 to countries outside the EU were worth €407.0 million in 2025. | 407.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 34060000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.47 billion in 2025. | 1.47 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 34060000 to the EU in 2025, with €301.5 million, or 68% of extra-EU imports. | 301.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 34060000 to the United States were €60.7 million in 2025. | 60.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 34060000 was €2.75 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.75 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Poland was the largest EU exporter of CN 34060000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €77.2 million. | 77.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 39,274 enterprises in NACE class C3299 (Other manufacturing n.e.c.) in 2023. | 39,274 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C3299 had net turnover of €17.29 billion in 2023. | 17.29 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C3299 employed 130,162 people across the EU in 2023. | 130,162 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 7,914 private establishments in NAICS 339999 (All other miscellaneous manufacturing) in 2025. | 7,914 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 339999 employed an average of 73,457 people in US private industry in 2025. | 73,457 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 339999 changed by +23% between 2020 (59,606 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +23 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 339999 was $76,940 in 2025. | 76,940 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 34060000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 441276665
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34060000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 317804025; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 441276665
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34060000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 407029042
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34060000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1467442293
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34060000, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 301474199
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34060000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 60722908
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34060000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 441276665, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1606085
- 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 PL, product 34060000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 77202087
- 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 C3299, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 39274
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3299, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 17294
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3299, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 130162
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 339999, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339999, annual_avg_estabs 7914
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339999, annual_avg_emplvl 73457
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 59606; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 73457
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339999, avg_annual_pay 76940
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Home decor retailers
- Gift shops
- Hotels and spas
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
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU candle market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €441.3 million of goods under CN 34060000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €407.0 million.
Where does the EU import candle from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Viet Nam, United Kingdom, United States.
What is the average import price of candle in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.75 per kilogram for CN 34060000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most candle?
Poland led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Czechia.
How many US companies are in the candle industry?
BLS counts 7,914 private establishments in NAICS 339999 (All other miscellaneous manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the candle industry?
Eurostat counts 39,274 enterprises in NACE class C3299 (Other manufacturing n.e.c.).
Free sample
Get a free sample of this report
We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. You owe us nothing for asking.
- Full table of contents
- Two sample chapters
- Method note and data outline