What this market covers
Metal bars or strips that carry heavy electric current inside switchboards, substations and power distribution systems. Switchgear makers, utilities and data centers buy them.
Typical segments
- Copper busbars
- Aluminum busbars
- Busway trunking
- Laminated busbars
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +65% 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 +45% 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 €2.50 billion of products under CN code 85389099 (Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading 8535, 8536 or) from outside the EU in 2025. | 2.50 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 85389099 were up 65% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€1.52 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +65 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 85389099 to countries outside the EU were worth €4.27 billion in 2025. | 4.27 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 85389099 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €6.06 billion in 2025. | 6.06 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 85389099 to the EU in 2025, with €819.3 million, or 33% of extra-EU imports. | 819.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 85389099 to the United States were €647.2 million in 2025. | 647.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 85389099 was €28.39 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 28.39 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 85389099 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €1.38 billion. | 1.38 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 6,600 enterprises in NACE class C2712 (Manufacture of electricity distribution and control apparatus) in 2023. | 6,600 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2712 had net turnover of €110.00 billion in 2023. | 110.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2712 employed 400,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 400,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 839 private establishments in NAICS 335313 (Switchgear and switchboard apparatus manufacturing) in 2025. | 839 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 335313 employed an average of 48,990 people in US private industry in 2025. | 48,990 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 335313 changed by +45% between 2020 (33,709 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +45 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 335313 was $93,684 in 2025. | 93,684 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 85389099, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2496579519
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85389099, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1515701392; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 2496579519
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85389099, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4274820116
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85389099, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6062915961
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85389099, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 819275257
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85389099, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 647166286
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85389099, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2496579519, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 879381
- 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 DE, product 85389099, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1377434347
- 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 C2712, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 6600
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2712, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 110000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2712, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 400000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 335313, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335313, annual_avg_estabs 839
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335313, annual_avg_emplvl 48990
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 33709; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 48990
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335313, avg_annual_pay 93684
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Switchgear manufacturers
- Utilities
- Data center builders
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 busbar market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €2.50 billion of goods under CN 85389099 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €4.27 billion.
Where does the EU import busbar from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Switzerland, United States, Morocco.
What is the average import price of busbar in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €28.39 per kilogram for CN 85389099 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most busbar?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Italy.
How many US companies are in the busbar industry?
BLS counts 839 private establishments in NAICS 335313 (Switchgear and switchboard apparatus manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the busbar industry?
Eurostat counts 6,600 enterprises in NACE class C2712 (Manufacture of electricity distribution and control apparatus).
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