What this market covers
Sustainable palm oil is palm oil grown and traced under certification schemes that limit deforestation and protect workers. Buyers are food makers, cosmetic firms, biofuel producers and retailers.
Typical segments
- Certified segregated oil
- Mass balance oil
- Certified kernel oil
- Traceable specialty fractions
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +9% 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 +30% 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 €1.66 billion of products under CN code 15111090 (Crude palm oil) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.66 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 15111090 were up 9% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€1.52 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +9 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 15111090 to countries outside the EU were worth €13.9 million in 2025. | 13.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 15111090 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €324.5 million in 2025. | 324.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Guatemala was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 15111090 to the EU in 2025, with €379.0 million, or 23% of extra-EU imports. | 379.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 15111090 to the United States were €3 thousand in 2025. | 3 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 15111090 was €1.10 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 1.10 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Netherlands was the largest EU exporter of CN 15111090 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €13.6 million. | 13.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 8,209 enterprises in NACE class C1041 (Manufacture of oils and fats) in 2023. | 8,209 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1041 had net turnover of €80.39 billion in 2023. | 80.39 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1041 employed 65,433 people across the EU in 2023. | 65,433 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 207 private establishments in NAICS 311225 (Fats and oils refining and blending) in 2025. | 207 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 311225 employed an average of 9,027 people in US private industry in 2025. | 9,027 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 311225 changed by +30% between 2020 (6,962 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +30 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 311225 was $83,885 in 2025. | 83,885 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 15111090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1661849428
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15111090, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1518082870; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1661849428
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15111090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 13865006
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15111090, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 324522552
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15111090, partner GT, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 379016891
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15111090, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2797
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15111090, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1661849428, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 15124774
- 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 15111090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 13636728
- 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 C1041, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 8209
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1041, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 80393
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1041, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 65433
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311225, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311225, annual_avg_estabs 207
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311225, annual_avg_emplvl 9027
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 6962; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 9027
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311225, avg_annual_pay 83885
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Packaged food makers
- Cosmetic and soap makers
- Retail brands
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 sustainable palm oil market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.66 billion of goods under CN 15111090 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €13.9 million.
Where does the EU import sustainable palm oil from?
Guatemala was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Colombia.
What is the average import price of sustainable palm oil in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €1.10 per kilogram for CN 15111090 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most sustainable palm oil?
Netherlands led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Denmark.
How many US companies are in the sustainable palm oil industry?
BLS counts 207 private establishments in NAICS 311225 (Fats and oils refining and blending), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the sustainable palm oil industry?
Eurostat counts 8,209 enterprises in NACE class C1041 (Manufacture of oils and fats).
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