United States was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Toothed wheels that transmit motion and torque between shafts in machines and vehicles. Buyers are vehicle makers, machinery builders and gearbox manufacturers.
Typical segments
- Spur and helical gears
- Bevel gears
- Worm gears
- Planetary gear sets
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 80% 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 €148.4 million of products under CN code 84834021 (Spur and helical gears and gearing, for machinery) from outside the EU in 2025. | 148.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 84834021 were up 80% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€82.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +80 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 84834021 to countries outside the EU were worth €791.6 million in 2025. | 791.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 84834021 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €401.3 million in 2025. | 401.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 84834021 to the EU in 2025, with €33.0 million, or 22% of extra-EU imports. | 33.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 84834021 to the United States were €214.3 million in 2025. | 214.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 84834021 was €20.30 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 20.30 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 84834021 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €375.1 million. | 375.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,007 enterprises in NACE class C2815 (Manufacture of bearings, gears, gearing and driving elements) in 2023. | 2,007 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2815 had net turnover of €56.00 billion in 2023. | 56.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2815 employed 223,742 people across the EU in 2023. | 223,742 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 291 private establishments in NAICS 333612 (Speed changer, industrial high-speed drive, and gear manufacturing) in 2025. | 291 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 333612 employed an average of 10,686 people in US private industry in 2025. | 10,686 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 333612 changed by -5% between 2020 (11,247 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -5 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 333612 was $79,389 in 2025. | 79,389 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 84834021, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 148384119
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84834021, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 82613549; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 148384119
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84834021, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 791637374
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84834021, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 401268671
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84834021, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 32959205
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84834021, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 214293904
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84834021, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 148384119, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 73084
- 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 84834021, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 375124635
- 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 C2815, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 2007
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2815, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 56000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2815, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 223742
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 333612, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 333612, annual_avg_estabs 291
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 333612, annual_avg_emplvl 10686
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 11247; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 10686
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 333612, avg_annual_pay 79389
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Vehicle makers
- Machinery builders
- Gearbox manufacturers
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 gears market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €148.4 million of goods under CN 84834021 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €791.6 million.
Where does the EU import gears from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Switzerland, China, Japan.
What is the average import price of gears in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €20.30 per kilogram for CN 84834021 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most gears?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Italy.
How many US companies are in the gears industry?
BLS counts 291 private establishments in NAICS 333612 (Speed changer, industrial high-speed drive, and gear manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the gears industry?
Eurostat counts 2,007 enterprises in NACE class C2815 (Manufacture of bearings, gears, gearing and driving elements).
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