China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Growing leafy greens, herbs and berries in stacked indoor layers using artificial light and controlled climate. Grocers, restaurants and food makers buy the produce.
Typical segments
- Hydroponic systems
- Aeroponic systems
- Container farms
- LED grow lighting
- Climate control
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 49% 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 €269.6 million of products under CN code 843680 (Agricultural, horticultural, forestry or bee-keeping machinery, n.e.s.) from outside the EU in 2025. | 269.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 843680 were up 49% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€181.5 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +49 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 843680 to countries outside the EU were worth €885.2 million in 2025. | 885.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 843680 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.19 billion in 2025. | 1.19 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 843680 to the EU in 2025, with €124.0 million, or 46% of extra-EU imports. | 124.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 843680 to the United States were €176.6 million in 2025. | 176.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 843680 was €6.52 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 6.52 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Netherlands was the largest EU exporter of CN 843680 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €178.9 million. | 178.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The US had 2,467 private establishments in NAICS 111419 (Other food crops grown under cover) in 2025. | 2,467 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 111419 employed an average of 38,035 people in US private industry in 2025. | 38,035 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 111419 changed by +44% between 2020 (26,353 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +44 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 111419 was $49,468 in 2025. | 49,468 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| PubMed indexed 45 papers mentioning "vertical farming" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 45 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 843680, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 269562595
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 843680, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 181460361; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 269562595
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 843680, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 885170606
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 843680, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1187499704
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 843680, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 124029169
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 843680, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 176644161
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 843680, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 269562595, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 413158
- 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 NL, product 843680, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 178919850
- Figure 8
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 111419, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 111419, annual_avg_estabs 2467
- Figure 10
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 111419, annual_avg_emplvl 38035
- Figure 11
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 26353; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 38035
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 111419, avg_annual_pay 49468
- Figure 9
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed search "vertical farming"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 13
esearch count 45
- Figure 13
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Supermarket chains
- Restaurants
- Food distributors
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 vertical farming market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €269.6 million of goods under CN 843680 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €885.2 million.
Where does the EU import vertical farming from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, United States, Canada.
What is the average import price of vertical farming in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €6.52 per kilogram for CN 843680 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most vertical farming?
Netherlands led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Finland.
How many US companies are in the vertical farming industry?
BLS counts 2,467 private establishments in NAICS 111419 (Other food crops grown under cover), the closest official industry.
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