China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Knives, forks and spoons for eating and serving, made of stainless steel, silver plate, plastic or wood. Households, hotels, restaurants and airlines buy them.
Typical segments
- Stainless steel flatware
- Silver plated cutlery
- Disposable cutlery
- Children's cutlery
- Serving utensils
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value fell 29% 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 €2.3 million of products under CN code 821591 (Spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs) from outside the EU in 2025. | 2.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 821591 were down 29% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€3.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -29 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 821591 to countries outside the EU were worth €19.6 million in 2025. | 19.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 821591 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €39.5 million in 2025. | 39.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 821591 to the EU in 2025, with €1.2 million, or 54% of extra-EU imports. | 1.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 821591 to the United States were €3.5 million in 2025. | 3.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 821591 was €15.72 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 15.72 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| France was the largest EU exporter of CN 821591 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €15.1 million. | 15.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,509 enterprises in NACE class C2571 (Manufacture of cutlery) in 2023. | 2,509 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2571 had net turnover of €2.50 billion in 2023. | 2.50 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2571 employed 17,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 17,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 364 private establishments in NAICS 332215 (Metal kitchen cookware, utensil, cutlery, and flatware (except precious) manufacturing) in 2025. | 364 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 332215 employed an average of 9,128 people in US private industry in 2025. | 9,128 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 332215 changed by +8% between 2020 (8,439 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +8 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 332215 was $89,064 in 2025. | 89,064 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 821591, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2283722
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 821591, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 3208117; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 2283722
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 821591, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 19598991
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 821591, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 39539937
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 821591, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1225485
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 821591, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3543759
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 821591, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2283722, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1452
- 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 821591, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 15064680
- 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 C2571, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 2509
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2571, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 2500
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2571, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 17000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 332215, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 332215, annual_avg_estabs 364
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 332215, annual_avg_emplvl 9128
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 8439; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 9128
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 332215, avg_annual_pay 89064
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Households
- Hotels and restaurants
- Airlines and caterers
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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU cutlery market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €2.3 million of goods under CN 821591 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €19.6 million.
Where does the EU import cutlery from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Thailand, United Kingdom, United States.
What is the average import price of cutlery in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €15.72 per kilogram for CN 821591 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cutlery?
France led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Germany.
How many US companies are in the cutlery industry?
BLS counts 364 private establishments in NAICS 332215 (Metal kitchen cookware, utensil, cutlery, and flatware (except precious) manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cutlery industry?
Eurostat counts 2,509 enterprises in NACE class C2571 (Manufacture of cutlery).
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