Market evolution: Edible insect products (CN 0410) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report examines the evolution of EU trade in products under customs code 0410, covering "Insects, turtles' eggs, birds' nests and other edible products of animal origin, n.e.s." between 2015 and 2025. The category is notably diverse, bundling together traditional products like birds' nests and turtles' eggs with the emerging segment of insects for human consumption. Over the decade, the EU's trade profile for this group has undergone a profound transformation, characterized by a sharp decline in export volumes, a stable yet structurally shifting import market, and growing concentration and volatility in key trading relationships. The period culminates with a clear rise in the import and unit-value of insect products, signaling a potential market evolution.

1. The Steep Decline of EU Export Competitiveness

The period from 2015 to 2025 was marked by a dramatic contraction in the European Union's export performance for this product group. While import values remained relatively stable, the EU's ability to compete internationally diminished significantly across multiple dimensions.

A Sustained Contraction in Export Volume and Value

The total quantity exported by the EU fell by 90.7%, from 3,374 tonnes in 2015 to just 314 tonnes in 2025. This collapse in physical volume was accompanied by a 38.8% decrease in value, dropping from €6.4 million to €3.9 million. This indicates that the EU lost not only market share but also the scale of its operations in this sector, likely due to a combination of shifting production focus and intensified competition from third countries.

The Contraction of Key Export Markets and Increased Concentration

The decline was widespread across traditional export partners. Trade with major destinations like the United Kingdom and Hong Kong shrank by over 94% in value. The concentration of the EU's export portfolio, measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), surged by 249.9%. This means exports became far less diversified, with a shrinking number of markets accounting for a larger share of a much smaller total trade.

The Specialization of a Few EU Member States

Despite the overall downturn, certain EU member states maintained a specialized position in production. In 2025, Bulgaria, Spain, and Latvia showed the highest relative comparative advantage (RCA) in this product category. This suggests that while the bloc's overall export capacity waned, niche production for international markets persisted in specific regions.

2. A Stable Import Market with Evolving Dynamics

In contrast to the export decline, the EU's import side displayed remarkable stability in aggregate value, but underwent significant structural changes regarding source countries and product composition.

Aggregate Stability Masking Underlying Shifts

Total import value increased slightly by 2.3%, from €12.5 million in 2015 to €12.8 million in 2025. The quantity imported remained virtually unchanged (0.5% growth). This headline stability, however, conceals major shifts in supplier countries and product mix, indicating that the market adapted to changing global supply chains and consumer demand.

The Consolidation of China and the Rise of New Suppliers

China solidified its position as the EU's dominant supplier, with its share growing from €9.4 million to over €10 million. However, several other partners saw dramatic increases in trade value. Notably, imports from Madagascar (+161.3%), Türkiye (+184.2%), and Vietnam (+214.1%) grew substantially. Meanwhile, trade with some former major partners like Argentina and Switzerland collapsed. This diversification, alongside growing volatility with partners like Türkiye, points to a more dynamic and competitive import landscape.

The Rapid Emergence of Insect Products (CN 041010) in Imports

A clear trend is the rising prominence of sub-category 041010 ("Insects, fit for human consumption"). Between 2022 and 2025, the quantity of insects imported surged from 20.6 to 274.9 tonnes, and their value nearly tripled from €594,125 to €1,436,980. This growth occurred alongside a sharp decline in the unit price for insects, suggesting economies of scale or shifting supplier profiles. This trend underscores the growing commercial viability of edible insects within the EU market.

3. Structural Concentration and Emerging Vulnerabilities

The decade's trade evolution has left the EU market more concentrated and exposed to specific shocks, even as its overall import reliance has remained stable.

Heightened Supplier Concentration and a Dominant Export Partner

The concentration of the EU's import sources increased by 6.6% (by value). This was largely driven by the sustained dominance of China. A major price shock was detected in imports from China in 2022, highlighting the market's sensitivity to developments in a single major source.

The Diverging Fortunes of Traditional and Novel Products

A striking divergence has emerged between the two sub-categories. While imports of insects (041010) grew, the traditional products (041090) saw stagnant volumes and slightly lower prices. On the export side, the EU dramatically scaled back shipments of both, but the unit value of exported insects (041010) reached €32,068 per tonne in 2025, far exceeding the €5,221 per tonne for imports. This premium may reflect niche, high-value exports, but the tiny volumes involved (1.45 tonnes in 2025) limit its macroeconomic significance.

Steady Autonomy but Stagnant Trade Intensity

The EU's net import reliance remained stable at around 22.8% over the period. This metric, indicating the share of domestic demand met by imports, suggests no increased dependency at the aggregate level. However, trade intensity and export propensity were also flat, indicating that the EU's overall engagement with this product category in global trade did not grow, even as its internal composition evolved.

Conclusion

The 2015–2025 period for EU trade in CN 0410 products is a story of two opposing trajectories: a deep retrenchment in exports and a stable, evolving import market. The EU has transformed from a net exporter in volume to a more passive importer, with its import needs increasingly concentrated in China and a growing share devoted to edible insects. This shift reflects broader global trade patterns and changing consumer trends. The key risks now lie in the increased supplier concentration and volatility, particularly concerning China. Looking ahead, the rapid growth in insect imports signals a potential long-term shift in the product's market role, moving from a niche curiosity towards a more mainstream, albeit still small, component of the EU's animal-origin food supply.