Market evolution: Chalkboards and whiteboards (CN 9610) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyses the evolution of the European Union's external trade in slates and boards with writing or drawing surfaces (Customs code 9610) from 2015 to 2025. The period is characterised by a fundamental shift in the EU's trade balance, moving from a modest net importer to a significantly more import-reliant market. Key dynamics include a decline in EU export competitiveness, a consolidation of import sources, and a notable restructuring of EU internal production, all occurring against a backdrop of increasing trade volatility.

Shifting Tides: The EU's Growing Import Dependence

The EU's trade position in the 9610 market has transformed dramatically over the decade. The bloc has become substantially more reliant on foreign suppliers to meet domestic demand.

The trade deficit has deepened considerably

The EU's trade deficit in this product category widened significantly. The deficit, measured in value, increased from -€20.1 million in 2015 to -€34.6 million in 2025, a 72% deterioration. This reflects a sustained period where import growth outpaced export performance.

The general trade overview confirms this trend.

Import value has risen while export value has fallen

Total EU imports of chalkboards and whiteboards increased in value by 9.3%, rising from €63.7 million to €69.6 million. In contrast, EU exports fell sharply by 19.6%, declining from €43.5 million to €35.0 million. This divergence in trajectories is the primary driver of the widening deficit.

Net import reliance has surged to historic highs

A key metric for vulnerability, the net import reliance percentage, has exploded. It grew from a minimal 0.6% in 2015 to a substantial 15.6% in 2025. This indicates that a growing portion of the EU's domestic consumption is satisfied by imports, increasing exposure to external supply shocks.

Net import reliance data highlights this dramatic increase.

Export Erosion: Declining EU Sales and Changing Partners

EU exporters have faced significant headwinds, leading to a contraction in volumes and a reordering of their main commercial relationships.

Export volumes have declined more steeply than values

The quantity of EU exports fell by 34.1%, from 9,435 tonnes to 6,215 tonnes, a steeper drop than the value decline. This suggests that while the EU is exporting less, the unit price of its exports has increased by 22%, from €4,614 to €5,630 per tonne. This could indicate a shift towards higher-value products or the exit of less competitive, lower-price segments.

The United Kingdom, once the top export destination, has lost importance

The UK was the EU's largest export market in 2015, receiving goods worth €16.1 million. By 2025, its imports from the EU had fallen by 41.6% to €9.4 million. This significant decline is likely linked to the UK's departure from the EU Single Market.

The list of top export partners illustrates the UK's decline and the rise of new markets.

Export destinations have become more concentrated geographically

While losing ground in the UK, EU exporters have seen strong growth in nearby markets. Exports to Morocco surged by 283.7%, and to Switzerland by 31.5%. Conversely, exports to the United States dropped by 55.8%. This reshaping points to a potential regionalization of EU trade flows for this product.

Production Resilience Amid Trade Realignments

Despite the challenging export environment, data on EU production reveals a complex picture of adaptation and consolidation.

EU production volume has collapsed, but value has increased

The number of items produced within the EU (PRODCOM data) plummeted by 61.1%, from 4.6 million items to 1.8 million. However, the total value of this production surged by 76.3%, from €113.4 million to €200 million. This stark contrast indicates a massive increase in the average unit value, suggesting a strategic shift towards premium or specialised products.

Production volume and value data show this divergent trend.

Import sources show increased concentration, dominated by China

China is the overwhelmingly dominant supplier to the EU, with its share of imports growing. The value of imports from China increased by 15.9% to €60.4 million, representing the vast majority of EU import growth. Meanwhile, imports from traditional European partners like the United Kingdom fell by 63.5%.

Specialisation within the EU is uneven, favouring specific member states

Analysis of Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) shows that production and export specialisation are concentrated in a few Member States. Portugal (RSCA: 0.78), Estonia (0.59), and Sweden (0.50) are highly specialised. In contrast, larger economies like Italy (-0.79) and Finland (-0.91) show negative specialisation, indicating they are net importers in this sector relative to their overall trade.

Specialisation data reveals the geographic concentration of EU competitiveness.

Conclusion

The period 2015–2025 has been one of structural change for the EU chalkboard and whiteboard market. The most definitive trend is the marked increase in import dependence, with the bloc transitioning from a near-balanced position to a significant net importer. This shift was fueled by resilient import growth, overwhelmingly led by China, against a backdrop of declining EU export volumes.

EU industry appears to have responded through consolidation and upscaling, drastically cutting production volumes while substantially increasing production value, suggesting a move towards higher-margin products. However, this has not been sufficient to offset the decline in export competitiveness, particularly in the crucial UK market. The result is a market with a heightened vulnerability to supply chain disruptions and increased reliance on a concentrated set of foreign suppliers, presenting both a challenge and a strategic consideration for the EU's industrial outlook in this sector.