Switzerland was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Nitrogen cooled to a very cold liquid for freezing, storage and industrial processing. Buyers are food processors, hospitals, laboratories, biobanks and metal and electronics plants.
Typical segments
- Food freezing
- Cryopreservation
- Industrial cooling
- Laboratory supply
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 65% 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 €25.2 million of products under CN code 28043000 (Nitrogen) from outside the EU in 2025. | 25.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 28043000 were up 65% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€15.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +65 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28043000 to countries outside the EU were worth €26.0 million in 2025. | 26.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 28043000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €157.9 million in 2025. | 157.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 28043000 to the EU in 2025, with €8.1 million, or 32% of extra-EU imports. | 8.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28043000 to the United States were €1.3 million in 2025. | 1.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 28043000 was €0.32 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 0.32 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 28043000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €8.0 million. | 8.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 1,063 enterprises in NACE class C2011 (Manufacture of industrial gases) in 2023. | 1,063 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2011 had net turnover of €21.56 billion in 2023. | 21.56 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2011 employed 37,116 people across the EU in 2021. | 37,116 persons employed | 2021 | Eurostat |
| The US had 956 private establishments in NAICS 325120 (Industrial gas manufacturing) in 2025. | 956 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325120 employed an average of 22,011 people in US private industry in 2025. | 22,011 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325120 changed by +18% between 2020 (18,652 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +18 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325120 was $156,545 in 2025. | 156,545 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 28043000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 25202911
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28043000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 15249657; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 25202911
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28043000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 25951489
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28043000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 157918364
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28043000, partner CH, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 8128972
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28043000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1316031
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28043000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 25202911, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 784486
- 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 28043000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 7986364
- 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 C2011, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1063
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2011, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 21563
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2011, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2021, 37116
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325120, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325120, annual_avg_estabs 956
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325120, annual_avg_emplvl 22011
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 18652; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 22011
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325120, avg_annual_pay 156545
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Food processors
- Biobanks and hospitals
- Manufacturing plants
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
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU liquid nitrogen market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €25.2 million of goods under CN 28043000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €26.0 million.
Where does the EU import liquid nitrogen from?
Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included High seas, Serbia, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of liquid nitrogen in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €0.32 per kilogram for CN 28043000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most liquid nitrogen?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Ireland.
How many US companies are in the liquid nitrogen industry?
BLS counts 956 private establishments in NAICS 325120 (Industrial gas manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the liquid nitrogen industry?
Eurostat counts 1,063 enterprises in NACE class C2011 (Manufacture of industrial gases).
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