What this market covers
Cold cuts are sliced cooked or cured meats such as ham, turkey and salami served cold. Supermarkets, delicatessens and sandwich makers are the main buyers.
Typical segments
- Sliced ham
- Sliced poultry
- Salami and sausage
- Roast meats
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -72% 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 €3.5 million of products under CN code 16024110 (Hams and cuts thereof, of domestic swine, prepared or preserved) from outside the EU in 2025. | 3.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 16024110 were down 72% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€12.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -72 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 16024110 to countries outside the EU were worth €336.1 million in 2025. | 336.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 16024110 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €855.6 million in 2025. | 855.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 16024110 to the EU in 2025, with €3.2 million, or 91% of extra-EU imports. | 3.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 16024110 to the United States were €47.9 million in 2025. | 47.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 16024110 was €7.38 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 7.38 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Poland was the largest EU exporter of CN 16024110 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €124.8 million. | 124.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 19,720 enterprises in NACE class C1013 (Production of meat and poultry meat products) in 2023. | 19,720 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1013 had net turnover of €111.70 billion in 2023. | 111.70 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1013 employed 490,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 490,000 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 16024110, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3514520
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 16024110, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 12573141; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 3514520
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 16024110, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 336127458
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 16024110, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 855564303
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 16024110, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3192967
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 16024110, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 47931660
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 16024110, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3514520, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 4763
- 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 16024110, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 124785631
- 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 C1013, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 19720
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1013, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 111702
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1013, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 490000
- 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
- Supermarkets
- Delicatessens
- Sandwich 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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU cold cuts market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €3.5 million of goods under CN 16024110 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €336.1 million.
Where does the EU import cold cuts from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Countries and territories not specified within the framework of extra-Union trade, Andorra, Switzerland.
What is the average import price of cold cuts in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €7.38 per kilogram for CN 16024110 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cold cuts?
Poland led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Germany.
How many US companies are in the cold cuts 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 cold cuts industry?
Eurostat counts 19,720 enterprises in NACE class C1013 (Production of meat and poultry meat products).
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