China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Needles covers sewing, knitting, machine and medical needles made of steel. Garment makers, craft buyers, textile machinery users and healthcare providers buy them.
Typical segments
- Sewing needles
- Knitting and crochet needles
- Sewing machine needles
- Hypodermic needles
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 23% 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 €5.9 million of products under CN code 73199010 (Sewing, darning or embroidery needles, for use in the hand, of iron or steel) from outside the EU in 2025. | 5.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 73199010 were up 23% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€4.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +23 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 73199010 to countries outside the EU were worth €2.5 million in 2025. | 2.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 73199010 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €5.4 million in 2025. | 5.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 73199010 to the EU in 2025, with €3.6 million, or 61% of extra-EU imports. | 3.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 73199010 to the United States were €241 thousand in 2025. | 241 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 73199010 was €18.92 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 18.92 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 73199010 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €1.2 million. | 1.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 39,274 enterprises in NACE class C3299 (Other manufacturing n.e.c.) in 2023. | 39,274 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C3299 had net turnover of €17.29 billion in 2023. | 17.29 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C3299 employed 130,162 people across the EU in 2023. | 130,162 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 183 private establishments in NAICS 339993 (Fastener, button, needle, and pin manufacturing) in 2025. | 183 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 339993 employed an average of 4,772 people in US private industry in 2025. | 4,772 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 339993 changed by -5% between 2020 (5,017 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -5 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 339993 was $71,111 in 2025. | 71,111 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 73199010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5925152
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 73199010, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 4818159; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 5925152
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 73199010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2485555
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 73199010, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5446906
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 73199010, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3592353
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 73199010, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 240628
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 73199010, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5925152, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 3131
- 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 73199010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1184851
- 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 C3299, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 39274
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3299, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 17294
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3299, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 130162
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 339993, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339993, annual_avg_estabs 183
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339993, annual_avg_emplvl 4772
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 5017; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 4772
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339993, avg_annual_pay 71111
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Garment manufacturers
- Craft retailers
- Hospitals
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 needles market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €5.9 million of goods under CN 73199010 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €2.5 million.
Where does the EU import needles from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Malaysia, United States, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of needles in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €18.92 per kilogram for CN 73199010 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most needles?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Netherlands.
How many US companies are in the needles industry?
BLS counts 183 private establishments in NAICS 339993 (Fastener, button, needle, and pin manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the needles industry?
Eurostat counts 39,274 enterprises in NACE class C3299 (Other manufacturing n.e.c.).
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