What this market covers
Certified seed sold by breeders and seed companies to farmers and growers, including hybrid and improved varieties. Buyers choose by yield, disease resistance and local fit.
Typical segments
- Hybrid cereal seed
- Vegetable seed
- Oilseed and pulse seed
- Forage seed
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +31% 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 +9% 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 €628.0 million of products under CN code 12099180 (Vegetable seeds for sowing) from outside the EU in 2025. | 628.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 12099180 were up 31% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€480.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +31 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 12099180 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.89 billion in 2025. | 1.89 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 12099180 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.43 billion in 2025. | 1.43 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 12099180 to the EU in 2025, with €99.6 million, or 16% of extra-EU imports. | 99.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 12099180 to the United States were €197.8 million in 2025. | 197.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 12099180 was €51.97 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 51.97 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Netherlands was the largest EU exporter of CN 12099180 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €1.39 billion. | 1.39 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 28,000 enterprises in NACE class G4621 (Wholesale of grain, unmanufactured tobacco, seeds and animal feeds) in 2023. | 28,000 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class G4621 had net turnover of €290.64 billion in 2023. | 290.64 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class G4621 employed 220,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 220,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 5,930 private establishments in NAICS 111998 (All other miscellaneous crop farming) in 2025. | 5,930 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 111998 employed an average of 40,599 people in US private industry in 2025. | 40,599 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 111998 changed by +9% between 2020 (37,330 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +9 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 111998 was $46,528 in 2025. | 46,528 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 12099180, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 628002890
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 12099180, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 480820517; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 628002890
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 12099180, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1894563395
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 12099180, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1425205414
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 12099180, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 99645159
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 12099180, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 197759360
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 12099180, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 628002890, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 120843
- 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 NL, product 12099180, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1390204137
- 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 G4621, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 28000
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 G4621, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 290644
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 G4621, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 220000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 111998, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 111998, annual_avg_estabs 5930
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 111998, annual_avg_emplvl 40599
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 37330; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 40599
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 111998, avg_annual_pay 46528
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Farmers
- Growers and nurseries
- Seed 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 commercial seed market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €628.0 million of goods under CN 12099180 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.89 billion.
Where does the EU import commercial seed from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, Chile, Peru.
What is the average import price of commercial seed in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €51.97 per kilogram for CN 12099180 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most commercial seed?
Netherlands led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Italy.
How many US companies are in the commercial seed industry?
BLS counts 5,930 private establishments in NAICS 111998 (All other miscellaneous crop farming), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the commercial seed industry?
Eurostat counts 28,000 enterprises in NACE class G4621 (Wholesale of grain, unmanufactured tobacco, seeds and animal feeds).
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