What this market covers
Grain based inputs such as flakes, flours, extruded pieces, malt and bran used by food makers. Used in breakfast cereals, snacks, bakery and baby food.
Typical segments
- Flakes and puffs
- Flours
- Bran and fibre
- Malt extracts
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +30% 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 +7% 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 €15.1 million of products under CN code 19049080 (Cereals in grain or flake form or other worked grains, pre-cooked or otherwise prepared,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 15.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 19049080 were up 30% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€11.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +30 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 19049080 to countries outside the EU were worth €33.0 million in 2025. | 33.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 19049080 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €103.9 million in 2025. | 103.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 19049080 to the EU in 2025, with €5.6 million, or 37% of extra-EU imports. | 5.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 19049080 to the United States were €4.1 million in 2025. | 4.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 19049080 was €6.23 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 6.23 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| France was the largest EU exporter of CN 19049080 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €8.1 million. | 8.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 5,720 enterprises in NACE class C1061 (Manufacture of grain mill products) in 2022. | 5,720 enterprises | 2022 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1061 had net turnover of €43.61 billion in 2023. | 43.61 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1061 employed 85,189 people across the EU in 2023. | 85,189 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 162 private establishments in NAICS 311230 (Breakfast cereal manufacturing) in 2025. | 162 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 311230 employed an average of 13,110 people in US private industry in 2025. | 13,110 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 311230 changed by +7% between 2020 (12,273 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +7 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 311230 was $93,093 in 2025. | 93,093 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 19049080, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 15059218
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 19049080, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 11618849; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 15059218
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 19049080, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 33024486
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 19049080, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 103878657
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 19049080, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5554529
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 19049080, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4119384
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 19049080, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 15059218, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 24184
- 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 FR, product 19049080, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 8134513
- 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 C1061, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2022, 5720
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1061, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 43614
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1061, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 85189
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311230, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311230, annual_avg_estabs 162
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311230, annual_avg_emplvl 13110
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 12273; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 13110
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311230, avg_annual_pay 93093
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Breakfast cereal makers
- Snack makers
- Bakeries
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 cereal ingredients market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €15.1 million of goods under CN 19049080 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €33.0 million.
Where does the EU import cereal ingredients from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, Türkiye, Syrian Arab Republic.
What is the average import price of cereal ingredients in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €6.23 per kilogram for CN 19049080 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cereal ingredients?
France led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Belgium, Italy.
How many US companies are in the cereal ingredients industry?
BLS counts 162 private establishments in NAICS 311230 (Breakfast cereal manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cereal ingredients industry?
Eurostat counts 5,720 enterprises in NACE class C1061 (Manufacture of grain mill products).
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