China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
A sulphated polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed and used in supplements, skin care and research. Buyers are nutraceutical brands, cosmetic makers and laboratories.
Typical segments
- Wakame extract
- Mozuku extract
- Bladderwrack extract
- High purity research grade
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 17% 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 €251.3 million of products under CN code 130239 (Mucilages and thickeners derived from vegetable products, whether or not modified) from outside the EU in 2025. | 251.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 130239 were up 17% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€214.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +17 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 130239 to countries outside the EU were worth €155.2 million in 2025. | 155.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 130239 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €184.4 million in 2025. | 184.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 130239 to the EU in 2025, with €90.6 million, or 36% of extra-EU imports. | 90.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 130239 to the United States were €17.6 million in 2025. | 17.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 130239 was €6.83 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 6.83 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Spain was the largest EU exporter of CN 130239 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €76.2 million. | 76.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 900 enterprises in NACE class C2110 (Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products) in 2023. | 900 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2110 had net turnover of €69.39 billion in 2023. | 69.39 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2110 employed 80,119 people across the EU in 2023. | 80,119 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,443 private establishments in NAICS 325411 (Medicinal and botanical manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,443 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325411 employed an average of 46,010 people in US private industry in 2025. | 46,010 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325411 changed by +32% between 2020 (34,760 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +32 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325411 was $138,279 in 2025. | 138,279 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| PubMed indexed 392 papers mentioning "fucoidan" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 392 papers | 2025 | U.S. National Library of Medicine |
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 130239, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 251279882
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 130239, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 214199183; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 251279882
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 130239, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 155169211
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 130239, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 184350673
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 130239, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 90593794
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 130239, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 17628523
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 130239, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 251279882, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 368173
- 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 ES, product 130239, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 76220557
- 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 C2110, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 900
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2110, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 69392
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2110, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 80119
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325411, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325411, annual_avg_estabs 1443
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325411, annual_avg_emplvl 46010
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 34760; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 46010
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325411, avg_annual_pay 138279
- Figure 12
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed search "fucoidan"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 16
esearch count 392
- Figure 16
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Supplement brands
- Cosmetic makers
- Research laboratories
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
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- Excel data pack
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU fucoidan market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €251.3 million of goods under CN 130239 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €155.2 million.
Where does the EU import fucoidan from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Philippines, Indonesia, Chile.
What is the average import price of fucoidan in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €6.83 per kilogram for CN 130239 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most fucoidan?
Spain led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Germany.
How many US companies are in the fucoidan industry?
BLS counts 1,443 private establishments in NAICS 325411 (Medicinal and botanical manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the fucoidan industry?
Eurostat counts 900 enterprises in NACE class C2110 (Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products).
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