China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Disposable and reusable forks, knives and spoons made from birch, bamboo or other wood. Buyers are caterers, food outlets and event organisers.
Typical segments
- Disposable cutlery
- Reusable cutlery
- Bamboo cutlery
- Cutlery sets
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value fell 27% from 2022 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 €225.5 million of products under CN code 44199000 (Tableware and kitchenware, of wood) from outside the EU in 2025. | 225.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 44199000 were down 27% in 2025 compared with 2022 (€311.0 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -27 % since 2022 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 44199000 to countries outside the EU were worth €74.7 million in 2025. | 74.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 44199000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €183.5 million in 2025. | 183.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 44199000 to the EU in 2025, with €164.4 million, or 73% of extra-EU imports. | 164.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 44199000 to the United States were €17.8 million in 2025. | 17.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 44199000 was €4.37 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 4.37 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Italy was the largest EU exporter of CN 44199000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €15.8 million. | 15.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 36,014 enterprises in NACE class C1629 (Manufacture of other products of wood; manufacture of articles of cork, straw and plaiting materials) in 2023. | 36,014 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1629 had net turnover of €14.00 billion in 2023. | 14.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1629 employed 103,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 103,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 2,782 private establishments in NAICS 321999 (All other miscellaneous wood product manufacturing) in 2025. | 2,782 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 321999 employed an average of 26,888 people in US private industry in 2025. | 26,888 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 321999 changed by +11% between 2020 (24,306 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +11 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 321999 was $60,945 in 2025. | 60,945 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 44199000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 225537865
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44199000, flow import, 2022 VALUE_IN_EUROS 311001903; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 225537865
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44199000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 74701612
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44199000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 183485607
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44199000, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 164372656
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44199000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 17818597
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44199000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 225537865, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 515909
- 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 IT, product 44199000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 15767078
- 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 C1629, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 36014
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1629, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 14000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1629, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 103000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 321999, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 321999, annual_avg_estabs 2782
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 321999, annual_avg_emplvl 26888
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 24306; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 26888
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 321999, avg_annual_pay 60945
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Food service operators
- Caterers
- Retailers
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 wooden cutlery market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €225.5 million of goods under CN 44199000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €74.7 million.
Where does the EU import wooden cutlery from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Tunisia, Viet Nam, Türkiye.
What is the average import price of wooden cutlery in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €4.37 per kilogram for CN 44199000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most wooden cutlery?
Italy led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, France.
How many US companies are in the wooden cutlery industry?
BLS counts 2,782 private establishments in NAICS 321999 (All other miscellaneous wood product manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the wooden cutlery industry?
Eurostat counts 36,014 enterprises in NACE class C1629 (Manufacture of other products of wood; manufacture of articles of cork, straw and plaiting materials).
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