What this market covers
Cooked and preserved beef, pork, poultry and mixed meats sold in sealed cans. Buyers are grocery retailers, military and relief buyers and food service firms.
Typical segments
- Corned beef
- Canned ham
- Canned chicken
- Luncheon meat
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -36% 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 +12% 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 €13.3 million of products under CN code 16025031 (Corned beef, in airtight containers) from outside the EU in 2025. | 13.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 16025031 were down 36% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€20.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -36 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 16025031 to countries outside the EU were worth €34.3 million in 2025. | 34.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 16025031 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €47.0 million in 2025. | 47.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Brazil was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 16025031 to the EU in 2025, with €12.8 million, or 96% of extra-EU imports. | 12.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 16025031 to the United States were €2 thousand in 2025. | 2 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 16025031 was €5.42 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 5.42 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| France was the largest EU exporter of CN 16025031 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €20.6 million. | 20.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 11,761 enterprises in NACE class C1011 (Processing and preserving of meat) in 2023. | 11,761 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1011 had net turnover of €120.00 billion in 2023. | 120.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1011 employed 300,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 300,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,971 private establishments in NAICS 311612 (Meat processed from carcasses) in 2025. | 1,971 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 311612 employed an average of 153,011 people in US private industry in 2025. | 153,011 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 311612 changed by +12% between 2020 (136,401 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +12 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 311612 was $61,569 in 2025. | 61,569 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 16025031, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 13264964
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 16025031, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 20765259; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 13264964
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 16025031, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 34346177
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 16025031, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 47012537
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 16025031, partner BR, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 12781452
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 16025031, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1848
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 16025031, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 13264964, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 24464
- 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 FR, product 16025031, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 20603319
- 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 C1011, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 11761
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1011, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 120000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1011, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 300000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311612, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311612, annual_avg_estabs 1971
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311612, annual_avg_emplvl 153011
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 136401; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 153011
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311612, avg_annual_pay 61569
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Grocery chains
- Military and relief agencies
- Food service distributors
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 canned meat market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €13.3 million of goods under CN 16025031 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €34.3 million.
Where does the EU import canned meat from?
Brazil was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, Countries and territories not specified within the framework of extra-Union trade, Lebanon.
What is the average import price of canned meat in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €5.42 per kilogram for CN 16025031 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most canned meat?
France led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Ireland, Portugal.
How many US companies are in the canned meat industry?
BLS counts 1,971 private establishments in NAICS 311612 (Meat processed from carcasses), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the canned meat industry?
Eurostat counts 11,761 enterprises in NACE class C1011 (Processing and preserving of meat).
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