China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Controlled active ingredients such as psilocybin, MDMA and LSD made for clinical use. Buyers are drug developers and licensed research sites.
Typical segments
- Psilocybin
- MDMA
- LSD and analogues
- Ketamine and esketamine
- Ibogaine
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value fell 47% 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 €5.2 million of products under CN code 29398000 (Non-vegetal alkaloids, natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 5.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 29398000 were down 47% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€9.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -47 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 29398000 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.3 million in 2025. | 1.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 29398000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €16.8 million in 2025. | 16.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 29398000 to the EU in 2025, with €4.0 million, or 76% of extra-EU imports. | 4.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 29398000 to the United States were €17 thousand in 2025. | 17 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 29398000 was €164.29 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 164.29 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Ireland was the largest EU exporter of CN 29398000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €1.0 million. | 1.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 900 enterprises in NACE class C2110 (Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products) in 2023. | 900 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2110 had net turnover of €69.39 billion in 2023. | 69.39 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2110 employed 80,119 people across the EU in 2023. | 80,119 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,443 private establishments in NAICS 325411 (Medicinal and botanical manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,443 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325411 employed an average of 46,010 people in US private industry in 2025. | 46,010 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325411 changed by +32% between 2020 (34,760 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +32 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325411 was $138,279 in 2025. | 138,279 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 29398000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5225071
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29398000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 9832316; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 5225071
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29398000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1308629
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29398000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 16809742
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29398000, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3991885
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29398000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 16688
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29398000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5225071, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 318
- 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 IE, product 29398000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1046312
- 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 C2110, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 900
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2110, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 69392
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2110, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 80119
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325411, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325411, annual_avg_estabs 1443
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325411, annual_avg_emplvl 46010
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 34760; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 46010
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325411, avg_annual_pay 138279
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Biotech drug developers
- Contract manufacturers
- University research sites
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
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU psychedelic active pharmaceutical ingredients market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €5.2 million of goods under CN 29398000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.3 million.
Where does the EU import psychedelic active pharmaceutical ingredients from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, Japan, Israel.
What is the average import price of psychedelic active pharmaceutical ingredients in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €164.29 per kilogram for CN 29398000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most psychedelic active pharmaceutical ingredients?
Ireland led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Hungary.
How many US companies are in the psychedelic active pharmaceutical ingredients industry?
BLS counts 1,443 private establishments in NAICS 325411 (Medicinal and botanical manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the psychedelic active pharmaceutical ingredients industry?
Eurostat counts 900 enterprises in NACE class C2110 (Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products).
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