+50 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 84186900 were up 50% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€499.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat2.26 EUR billion
EU exports of CN 84186900 to countries outside the EU were worth €2.26 billion in 2025.
Eurostat2.48 EUR billion
Trade between EU member states in CN 84186900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €2.48 billion in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +50% 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 +14% since 2020.
What this market covers
Cold chain equipment includes the refrigeration units, display cases and cold rooms used to hold perishable goods at set temperatures. Food retailers, warehouses and vaccine programmes buy it.
Typical segments
- Refrigeration units
- Reefer containers
- Cold rooms
- Display cases
- Vaccine storage
Who buys
- Food retailers
- Cold storage operators
- Healthcare programmes
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| China | 333.1 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 76.2 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 70.7 EUR million |
| Switzerland | 57.1 EUR million |
| Türkiye | 43.5 EUR million |
| Japan | 33.6 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €746.4 million of products under CN code 84186900 (Refrigerating or freezing equipment) from outside the EU in 2025. | 746.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 84186900 were up 50% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€499.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +50 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 84186900 to countries outside the EU were worth €2.26 billion in 2025. | 2.26 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 84186900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €2.48 billion in 2025. | 2.48 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 84186900 to the EU in 2025, with €333.1 million, or 45% of extra-EU imports. | 333.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 84186900 to the United States were €330.9 million in 2025. | 330.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 84186900 was €15.21 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 15.21 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Italy was the largest EU exporter of CN 84186900 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €744.6 million. | 744.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 7,055 enterprises in NACE class C2825 (Manufacture of non-domestic cooling and ventilation equipment) in 2023. | 7,055 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2825 had net turnover of €66.00 billion in 2023. | 66.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2825 employed 240,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 240,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,617 private establishments in NAICS 333415 (Air-conditioning and warm air heating equipment and commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,617 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 333415 employed an average of 101,182 people in US private industry in 2025. | 101,182 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 333415 changed by +14% between 2020 (88,421 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +14 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 333415 was $75,703 in 2025. | 75,703 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 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 cold chain equipment market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €746.4 million of goods under CN 84186900 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €2.26 billion.
Where does the EU import cold chain equipment from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United States from 1995 -> 2000), United Kingdom, Switzerland.
What is the average import price of cold chain equipment in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €15.21 per kilogram for CN 84186900 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cold chain equipment?
Italy led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, France.
How many US companies are in the cold chain equipment industry?
BLS counts 1,617 private establishments in NAICS 333415 (Air-conditioning and warm air heating equipment and commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cold chain equipment industry?
Eurostat counts 7,055 enterprises in NACE class C2825 (Manufacture of non-domestic cooling and ventilation equipment).
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)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84186900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 746443675
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84186900, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 499158984; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 746443675
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84186900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2259960087
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84186900, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2475377600
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84186900, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 333101100
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84186900, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 330947660
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84186900, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 746443675, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 490737
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter IT, product 84186900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 744606475
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2825, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 7055
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2825, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 66000
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2825, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 240000
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 333415, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 333415, annual_avg_estabs 1617
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 333415, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 333415, annual_avg_emplvl 101182
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 333415, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 88421; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 101182
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 333415, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 333415, avg_annual_pay 75703
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