+20 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 38210000 were up 20% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€558.7 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat722.5 EUR million
EU exports of CN 38210000 to countries outside the EU were worth €722.5 million in 2025.
Eurostat988.7 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 38210000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €988.7 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +20% 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 +23% since 2020.
What this market covers
Cell freezing media protect cells from ice damage during storage at very low temperatures. They contain cryoprotectants and are used for cell lines, stem cells and therapy products.
Typical segments
- Serum containing media
- Serum free media
- DMSO free media
- Clinical grade media
Who buys
- Cell therapy developers
- Biobanks
- Research labs
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 304.4 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 260.5 EUR million |
| Switzerland | 40.3 EUR million |
| Japan | 16.5 EUR million |
| Costa Rica | 13.9 EUR million |
| Canada | 13.5 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €668.3 million of products under CN code 38210000 (Prepared culture media for the development or maintenance of micro-organisms "incl.) from outside the EU in 2025. | 668.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 38210000 were up 20% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€558.7 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +20 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38210000 to countries outside the EU were worth €722.5 million in 2025. | 722.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 38210000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €988.7 million in 2025. | 988.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 38210000 to the EU in 2025, with €304.4 million, or 46% of extra-EU imports. | 304.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38210000 to the United States were €141.9 million in 2025. | 141.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 38210000 was €62.60 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 62.60 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| France was the largest EU exporter of CN 38210000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €197.3 million. | 197.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 3,116 enterprises in NACE class C2120 (Manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations) in 2023. | 3,116 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2120 had net turnover of €428.65 billion in 2023. | 428.65 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2120 employed 600,730 people across the EU in 2023. | 600,730 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 830 private establishments in NAICS 325414 (Biological product (except diagnostic) manufacturing) in 2025. | 830 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325414 employed an average of 46,853 people in US private industry in 2025. | 46,853 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325414 changed by +23% between 2020 (38,064 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +23 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325414 was $124,162 in 2025. | 124,162 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 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 cell freezing media market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €668.3 million of goods under CN 38210000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €722.5 million.
Where does the EU import cell freezing media from?
United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan.
What is the average import price of cell freezing media in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €62.60 per kilogram for CN 38210000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cell freezing media?
France led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Netherlands.
How many US companies are in the cell freezing media industry?
BLS counts 830 private establishments in NAICS 325414 (Biological product (except diagnostic) manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cell freezing media industry?
Eurostat counts 3,116 enterprises in NACE class C2120 (Manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations).
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)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38210000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 668285598
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38210000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 558726551; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 668285598
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38210000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 722479526
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38210000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 988678394
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38210000, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 304387226
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38210000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 141910069
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38210000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 668285598, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 106758
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter FR, product 38210000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 197336978
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2120, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 3116
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2120, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 428651
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2120, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 600730
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325414, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325414, annual_avg_estabs 830
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325414, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325414, annual_avg_emplvl 46853
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325414, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 38064; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 46853
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325414, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325414, avg_annual_pay 124162
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