United States was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Instruments that separate and measure the parts of a mixture, including gas and liquid chromatographs. Used in laboratories for testing, research and quality control.
Typical segments
- Liquid chromatography systems
- Gas chromatography systems
- Ion chromatography
- Supercritical fluid chromatography
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 7% 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.
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 €264.2 million of products under CN code 90272000 (Chromatographs and electrophoresis instruments) from outside the EU in 2025. | 264.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 90272000 were up 7% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€246.1 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +7 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90272000 to countries outside the EU were worth €521.8 million in 2025. | 521.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 90272000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €229.8 million in 2025. | 229.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 90272000 to the EU in 2025, with €96.3 million, or 36% of extra-EU imports. | 96.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90272000 to the United States were €123.7 million in 2025. | 123.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 90272000 was €278.09 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 278.09 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 90272000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €168.2 million. | 168.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 8,828 enterprises in NACE class C2651 (Manufacture of instruments and appliances for measuring, testing and navigation) in 2023. | 8,828 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2651 had net turnover of €95.40 billion in 2023. | 95.40 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2651 employed 390,399 people across the EU in 2023. | 390,399 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,326 private establishments in NAICS 334516 (Analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,326 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 334516 employed an average of 42,896 people in US private industry in 2025. | 42,896 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 334516 changed by +10% between 2020 (39,065 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +10 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 334516 was $121,324 in 2025. | 121,324 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 90272000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 264152741
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90272000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 246095339; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 264152741
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90272000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 521781734
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90272000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 229797992
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90272000, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 96313963
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90272000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 123666743
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90272000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 264152741, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 9499
- 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 90272000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 168194848
- 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 C2651, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 8828
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2651, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 95400
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2651, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 390399
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 334516, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334516, annual_avg_estabs 1326
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334516, annual_avg_emplvl 42896
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 39065; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 42896
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334516, avg_annual_pay 121324
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Pharmaceutical laboratories
- Food testing labs
- Environmental testing labs
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 chromatography instruments market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €264.2 million of goods under CN 90272000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €521.8 million.
Where does the EU import chromatography instruments from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, Japan, Singapore.
What is the average import price of chromatography instruments in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €278.09 per kilogram for CN 90272000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most chromatography instruments?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Sweden, France.
How many US companies are in the chromatography instruments industry?
BLS counts 1,326 private establishments in NAICS 334516 (Analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the chromatography instruments industry?
Eurostat counts 8,828 enterprises in NACE class C2651 (Manufacture of instruments and appliances for measuring, testing and navigation).
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