United Kingdom was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Dense soft metal made from mined ore or recycled scrap, mainly used in batteries, radiation shielding and cable sheathing. Buyers are battery makers, smelters and chemical firms.
Typical segments
- Refined lead
- Lead alloys
- Recycled lead
- Lead compounds
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value fell 2% 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 €273.4 million of products under CN code 78011000 (Unwrought lead, refined) from outside the EU in 2025. | 273.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 78011000 were down 2% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€279.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -2 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 78011000 to countries outside the EU were worth €165.4 million in 2025. | 165.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 78011000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €783.4 million in 2025. | 783.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 78011000 to the EU in 2025, with €130.7 million, or 48% of extra-EU imports. | 130.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 78011000 to the United States were €0 thousand in 2025. | 0 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 78011000 was €2.01 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.01 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Bulgaria was the largest EU exporter of CN 78011000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €108.5 million. | 108.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 218 enterprises in NACE class C2443 (Lead, zinc and tin production) in 2023. | 218 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2443 had net turnover of €8.90 billion in 2023. | 8.90 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2443 employed 15,431 people across the EU in 2023. | 15,431 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 182 private establishments in NAICS 331410 (Nonferrous metal (except aluminum) smelting and refining) in 2025. | 182 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 331410 employed an average of 7,977 people in US private industry in 2025. | 7,977 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 331410 changed by +1% between 2020 (7,921 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +1 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 331410 was $102,879 in 2025. | 102,879 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 78011000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 273402817
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 78011000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 279225136; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 273402817
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 78011000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 165378602
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 78011000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 783395384
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 78011000, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 130736005
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 78011000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 147
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 78011000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 273402817, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1359056
- 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 BG, product 78011000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 108474754
- 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 C2443, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 218
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2443, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 8897
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2443, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 15431
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 331410, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331410, annual_avg_estabs 182
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331410, annual_avg_emplvl 7977
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 7921; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 7977
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331410, avg_annual_pay 102879
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Battery makers
- Metal traders
- Chemical producers
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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU lead market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €273.4 million of goods under CN 78011000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €165.4 million.
Where does the EU import lead from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Lebanon, Serbia, Türkiye.
What is the average import price of lead in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.01 per kilogram for CN 78011000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most lead?
Bulgaria led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Ireland, Sweden.
How many US companies are in the lead industry?
BLS counts 182 private establishments in NAICS 331410 (Nonferrous metal (except aluminum) smelting and refining), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the lead industry?
Eurostat counts 218 enterprises in NACE class C2443 (Lead, zinc and tin production).
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