Viet Nam was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Drawn copper tubes used for plumbing, heating and refrigeration lines. Builders, plumbers and air conditioning makers buy them in coils and straight lengths.
Typical segments
- Plumbing tube
- Air conditioning tube
- Medical gas tube
- Heat exchanger tube
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 129% 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 €553.3 million of products under CN code 741110 (Tubes and pipes of refined copper) from outside the EU in 2025. | 553.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 741110 were up 129% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€241.4 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +129 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 741110 to countries outside the EU were worth €693.2 million in 2025. | 693.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 741110 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.49 billion in 2025. | 1.49 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Viet Nam was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 741110 to the EU in 2025, with €177.5 million, or 32% of extra-EU imports. | 177.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 741110 to the United States were €188.4 million in 2025. | 188.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 741110 was €10.42 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 10.42 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Greece was the largest EU exporter of CN 741110 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €229.5 million. | 229.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 249 enterprises in NACE class C2444 (Copper production) in 2023. | 249 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2444 had net turnover of €60.54 billion in 2022. | 60.54 EUR billion | 2022 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2444 employed 41,411 people across the EU in 2023. | 41,411 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 342 private establishments in NAICS 331420 (Copper rolling, drawing, extruding, and alloying) in 2025. | 342 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 331420 employed an average of 28,652 people in US private industry in 2025. | 28,652 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 331420 changed by +11% between 2020 (25,903 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +11 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 331420 was $85,460 in 2025. | 85,460 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 741110, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 553254908
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 741110, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 241357152; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 553254908
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 741110, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 693244552
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 741110, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1492064336
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 741110, partner VN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 177542725
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 741110, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 188354143
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 741110, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 553254908, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 530822
- 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 GR, product 741110, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 229511071
- 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 C2444, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 249
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2444, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2022, 60544
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2444, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 41411
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 331420, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331420, annual_avg_estabs 342
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331420, annual_avg_emplvl 28652
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 25903; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 28652
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331420, avg_annual_pay 85460
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Plumbing contractors
- HVAC manufacturers
- 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
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU copper pipes and tubes market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €553.3 million of goods under CN 741110 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €693.2 million.
Where does the EU import copper pipes and tubes from?
Viet Nam was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, Mexico, Türkiye.
What is the average import price of copper pipes and tubes in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €10.42 per kilogram for CN 741110 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most copper pipes and tubes?
Greece led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Italy.
How many US companies are in the copper pipes and tubes industry?
BLS counts 342 private establishments in NAICS 331420 (Copper rolling, drawing, extruding, and alloying), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the copper pipes and tubes industry?
Eurostat counts 249 enterprises in NACE class C2444 (Copper 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