Israel was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Salts of phosphoric acid used in fertiliser, food, detergents, water treatment and industrial processes. Buyers are fertiliser, food and chemical producers.
Typical segments
- Calcium phosphates
- Sodium phosphates
- Potassium phosphates
- Ammonium phosphates
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 120% 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 €94.4 million of products under CN code 28352400 (Phosphates of potassium) from outside the EU in 2025. | 94.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 28352400 were up 120% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€42.9 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +120 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28352400 to countries outside the EU were worth €34.2 million in 2025. | 34.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 28352400 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €72.2 million in 2025. | 72.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Israel was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 28352400 to the EU in 2025, with €58.7 million, or 62% of extra-EU imports. | 58.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28352400 to the United States were €10.1 million in 2025. | 10.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 28352400 was €1.49 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 1.49 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 28352400 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €21.4 million. | 21.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 904 enterprises in NACE class C2013 (Manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals) in 2023. | 904 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2013 had net turnover of €33.38 billion in 2023. | 33.38 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2013 employed 64,363 people across the EU in 2023. | 64,363 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,032 private establishments in NAICS 325180 (Other basic inorganic chemical manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,032 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325180 employed an average of 41,024 people in US private industry in 2025. | 41,024 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325180 changed by +3% between 2020 (39,700 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +3 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325180 was $123,381 in 2025. | 123,381 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 28352400, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 94377718
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28352400, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 42860954; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 94377718
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28352400, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 34241830
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28352400, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 72169555
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28352400, partner IL, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 58698032
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28352400, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 10108428
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28352400, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 94377718, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 631293
- 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 28352400, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 21413785
- 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 C2013, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 904
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2013, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 33384
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2013, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 64363
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325180, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325180, annual_avg_estabs 1032
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325180, annual_avg_emplvl 41024
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 39700; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 41024
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325180, avg_annual_pay 123381
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Fertiliser makers
- Food processors
- Detergent and water treatment makers
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 phosphate market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €94.4 million of goods under CN 28352400 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €34.2 million.
Where does the EU import phosphate from?
Israel was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, United States, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of phosphate in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €1.49 per kilogram for CN 28352400 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most phosphate?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Belgium, Netherlands.
How many US companies are in the phosphate industry?
BLS counts 1,032 private establishments in NAICS 325180 (Other basic inorganic chemical manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the phosphate industry?
Eurostat counts 904 enterprises in NACE class C2013 (Manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals).
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