What this market covers
The most common rare earth metal, sold as metal, oxide and salts. Used in glass polishing, catalytic converters, alloys and phosphors.
Typical segments
- Cerium oxide polishing powder
- Catalyst grade cerium
- Cerium metal and alloys
- Cerium salts
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +240% from 2023 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 €983 thousand of products under CN code 28053021 (Cerium and lanthanum, of a purity by weight of >=95%) from outside the EU in 2025. | 983 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 28053021 were up 240% in 2025 compared with 2023 (€289 thousand), calculated from Eurostat values. | +240 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28053021 to countries outside the EU were worth €63 thousand in 2025. | 63 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 28053021 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €218 thousand in 2025. | 218 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 28053021 to the EU in 2025, with €535 thousand, or 54% of extra-EU imports. | 535 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 28053021 was €2.79 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.79 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Netherlands was the largest EU exporter of CN 28053021 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €41 thousand. | 41 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 506 enterprises in NACE class C2445 (Other non-ferrous metal production) in 2023. | 506 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2445 had net turnover of €8.57 billion in 2023. | 8.57 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2445 employed 16,706 people across the EU in 2022. | 16,706 persons employed | 2022 | Eurostat |
| The US had 482 private establishments in NAICS 212390 (Other nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying) in 2025. | 482 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 212390 employed an average of 12,064 people in US private industry in 2025. | 12,064 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 212390 was $107,580 in 2025. | 107,580 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 28053021, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 983175
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28053021, flow import, 2023 VALUE_IN_EUROS 289460; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 983175
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28053021, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 62759
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28053021, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 218270
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28053021, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 534508
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28053021, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 983175, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 3523
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter NL, product 28053021, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 40787
- Figure 7
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2445, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 506
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2445, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 8568
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2445, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2022, 16706
- Figure 8
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 212390, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 212390, annual_avg_estabs 482
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 212390, annual_avg_emplvl 12064
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 212390, avg_annual_pay 107580
- Figure 11
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Glass and optics makers
- Catalyst makers
- Metal alloy makers
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
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU cerium market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €983 thousand of goods under CN 28053021 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €63 thousand.
Where does the EU import cerium from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Japan, United States, Switzerland.
What is the average import price of cerium in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.79 per kilogram for CN 28053021 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cerium?
Netherlands led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Slovakia.
How many US companies are in the cerium industry?
BLS counts 482 private establishments in NAICS 212390 (Other nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cerium industry?
Eurostat counts 506 enterprises in NACE class C2445 (Other non-ferrous metal production).
Free sample
Get a free sample of this report
We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. You owe us nothing for asking.
- Full table of contents
- Two sample chapters
- Method note and data outline