Market evolution: Feathers and artificial flowers (CN 67) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyses the trade evolution of EU customs code 67, which encompasses prepared feathers and down, artificial flowers, and articles of human hair, for the period from 2015 to 2025. The EU market for these products has undergone significant expansion, characterized by a persistent and widening trade deficit with the rest of the world. This growth has been driven by surging imports, particularly of artificial flowers, while exports have also expanded robustly. The analysis below examines the overall market expansion, the key trading partners and their evolving roles, and the distinct performance of the product's main segments.

Scope & Definitions: Full product description and data coverage

1. A Decade of Surging Demand and a Widening Trade Deficit

The EU's external trade in CN 67 products has more than doubled in value over the observed decade, with imports growing at a much faster pace than exports. This has resulted in a structural trade deficit that has expanded significantly.

1.1 Import growth outpaces export growth, deepening the deficit

Between 2015 and 2025, the value of EU imports of CN 67 products increased by 104.6%, from €592 million to €1.21 billion. In contrast, export values grew by 79.7%, from €84 million to €151 million. The resulting trade deficit consequently more than doubled, widening from -€508 million to -€1.06 billion. This trend is underscored by the even larger growth in imported volumes (+140.2% in tonnes) compared to exported volumes (+72.8%), indicating that price movements partly offset the value impact of rising import quantities.

1.2 Price divergences highlight structural supply-side differences

A key dynamic is the divergence in price trends between imports and exports. The average import price fell by 14.8% over the period, settling at €9,651 per tonne. Conversely, the average export price saw a modest increase of 3.9%, reaching €26,212 per tonne. This substantial price gap—where exports are roughly 2.7 times more valuable per tonne than imports—strongly suggests that the EU is primarily a net importer of lower-value-added, bulk products (such as artificial flowers) and a net exporter of higher-value-added, niche goods (like processed feathers or specialized wigs).

General Overview: Full trade statistics and time series

2. Shifting Geographic Patterns: China's Dominance and Emerging Export Niches

The geographic landscape of EU trade in CN 67 is characterized by extreme concentration on the import side and a more diversified, albeit smaller, export portfolio. While China remains the overwhelmingly dominant supplier, export growth has been particularly strong towards Asian markets.

2.1 Imports are highly concentrated, with China reinforcing its lead

China's role as the EU's primary source for CN 67 products intensified over the decade. Its export value to the EU surged by 129%, from €456 million to €1.04 billion, meaning China supplied approximately 86% of all EU imports by 2025. The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for import concentration, which measures market dominance, increased from 5,995 to 7,652, confirming a move towards greater supplier reliance. Other notable import partners include Indonesia (+65.8%) and, notably, Viet Nam, whose exports to the EU grew by 547%, albeit from a low base, indicating a rapid rise as a secondary sourcing hub.

2.2 Exports show resilience with strong growth in East Asia

While the EU maintains traditional export links with European neighbours, the most dynamic growth in export destinations occurred in Asia. Exports to China grew by a staggering 559.5% (from €3.8m to €25.1m) and to Serbia by 573.9% (from €0.4m to €2.6m). This pattern may reflect the EU exporting high-quality, processed feathers back to major Asian down-processing hubs or catering to niche consumer markets. The United Kingdom remained the single largest export market, with its value increasing by 46%.

Top Partners by Value: Detailed partner-level trade flows

3. Segment Analysis: Artificial Flowers Drive the Import Boom, While Exports are More Balanced

The aggregate trade figures are primarily shaped by the performance of two sub-products: artificial flowers (CN 6702) and wigs/articles of hair (CN 6704). The data reveals distinct drivers for imports and exports.

3.1 Artificial flowers (6702) dominate imports in both volume and value

The artificial flowers segment (6702) is the engine of EU import growth. Import quantities in this segment nearly tripled, from 47,250 tonnes in 2015 to 113,950 tonnes in 2025. Despite a falling unit import price (from €7,801 to €6,753 per tonne), the sheer volume increase led to a 109% rise in import value to €770 million. This segment alone accounted for 63% of all CN 67 import value in 2025, indicating massive European consumer demand for decorative flora supplied predominantly from low-cost Asian manufacturing bases.

3.2 Wigs and hair articles (6704) are a high-value pillar for both trade flows

The wigs and hair articles segment (6704) is a major contributor on both sides of the trade balance. On the import side, its value grew by 88% to €314 million. More notably, it is the largest category by value in EU exports, with its value increasing by 122% to €60 million. The export unit price for this segment is exceptionally high (€82,643 per tonne in 2025), indicating that the EU specializes in and exports premium, value-added wigs and hairpieces. This contrasts sharply with the much lower import price (€37,191 per tonne), suggesting different quality tiers or processing stages in the market.

Product Segment Breakdown: Detailed sub-product performance

Conclusion

The EU market for CN 67 products between 2015 and 2025 expanded dramatically, becoming significantly more integrated with global supply chains. This integration, however, has taken the form of a deepening dependence on imports, particularly from China, to satisfy domestic demand for artificial flowers and related articles. The EU's export profile, while also growing, is characterized by a focus on higher-value-added niches like premium wigs and specialized feather products, targeting specific international markets.

The overall trade deficit expansion reflects strong EU consumer demand for decorative goods, met by cost-effective Asian production. The EU's role is less as a mass producer and more as a processor and exporter of specialized goods, leveraging existing trade relationships within Europe and with select Asian partners. Moving forward, the market's vulnerability to supply chain disruptions in key exporting nations (notably China) remains a salient feature, as indicated by the high and rising import concentration index.

Net Import Reliance: Assessment of EU supply chain vulnerability