Market evolution: Glassware (CN 7013) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report examines the evolution of the European Union's external trade in glassware (Combined Nomenclature code 7013) from 2015 to 2025. The analysis covers trade flows, market structure, and underlying dynamics, based on the provided trade data. The period is characterized by a profound structural shift: the EU transitioned from being a dominant net exporter to approaching trade balance, driven by a decline in export volumes and a surge in imports. This transformation occurred against a backdrop of changing geopolitical relations and evolving competitive advantages within specific product segments.

1. From surplus to balance: the erosion of EU net export dominance

The most striking feature of the decade is the dramatic shift in the EU's trade position for this glassware category. The Union began the period with a substantial and stable trade surplus, which has since narrowed almost to parity.

• A collapsing surplus: The EU's trade balance fell from +744 million EUR in 2015 to just +258 million EUR in 2025, a 65% decline. The peak surplus was recorded in 2015, and the minimum (i.e., the smallest surplus) was the most recent 2025 figure.
• Diverging volumes and values: This decline masks two countervailing trends. While the value of EU exports fell moderately (from 1.40 billion to 1.32 billion EUR, a 6% decrease), their physical quantity in tonnes plummeted by 43% (from 371,741 to 212,849 tonnes). Conversely, import values surged by 61% (from 659 million to 1.06 billion EUR) and import volumes rose by 39%.
• Rising export prices indicate a premium shift: The sharp divergence between falling export volume and stable export value points to a significant increase in the average unit price of EU exports. The unit price (EUR per tonne) for exports rose by 64%, from 3,775 to 6,196 EUR/t. This suggests a strategic reorientation towards higher-value, lower-volume products.

2. Geographic reorientation: the growing import reliance on China and shifting export landscapes

The shift in trade flows is mirrored by a clear geographic concentration, particularly in imports, and notable volatility in some export markets.

• China's overwhelming dominance in EU imports: China solidified its position as the EU's primary source for glassware, with its share of import value more than doubling from 377 million to 768 million EUR (a 104% increase). This growth is a major driver of the overall import surge. The import market also became more concentrated, with the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for imports rising by 48%.
• Resilient but changing EU export destinations: The United States and the United Kingdom remain the top two extra-EU export markets, though their import values fluctuated. A significant decline is observed in exports to Russia (down 61% to 33 million EUR in 2025) and China (down 52% to 34 million EUR), while exports to Ukraine more than doubled.
• Key internal EU trade hubs: Within the bloc, Germany, France, Italy, and Czechia are both major importers and exporters. Notably, Poland saw a 269% surge in its extra-EU import value, indicating its growing role as a gateway or processing hub.

3. Product segment specialization: the high-value niche advantage

The aggregate trade data masks a crucial internal dynamic: the EU is increasingly specializing in high-value, niche glassware segments while losing ground in standard, high-volume categories.

• Import volume growth is concentrated in standard products: The surge in EU imports, by both volume and value, was led by standard table/kitchen glassware (CN 701349, volume +71%) and standard drinking glasses (CN 701337, volume +53%). This aligns with the dominance of cost-competitive suppliers like China.
• EU exports decline in volume but maintain value in specialty glass: In contrast, EU export volumes fell across most segments. However, the export unit price (EUR per piece) for specialty items like decorative glassware (CN 701399) and lead crystal ware (CN 701391) increased dramatically (by 308% and 382% respectively from 2015-2025). This confirms the EU's competitive strength in artisanal, design-driven, and luxury segments.
• National specialization within the EU: The revealed symmetric comparative advantage (RSCA) analysis for 2025 shows Bulgaria, Portugal, France, and Czechia as the most specialized EU members in glassware production for export. This specialization supports the notion of a European value chain where certain Member States focus on premium production.

Conclusion

The EU's glassware trade (CN 7013) over 2015-2025 tells a story of structural adjustment. The market has evolved from one of clear EU export dominance to one of near balance, with a drastically diminished surplus. This is the result of a dual process: a significant expansion of low-cost imports, overwhelmingly from China, to meet domestic demand for standard products, coupled with a strategic contraction of export volumes in favor of higher-value, niche products.

The EU's core competitive advantage has consolidated in specialized, high-unit-value segments such as premium decorative and lead crystal glassware, where it commands a significant price premium globally. Meanwhile, the competitive landscape for standard, volume-driven glassware has shifted decisively toward extra-EU producers. The key geopolitical and competitive dynamic is the EU's heavy import reliance on China, while its major export markets (US, UK, Switzerland) have remained relatively stable. This reorientation towards quality and design, while maintaining production in specialized Member States, defines the current state and likely future trajectory of the European glassware sector in global trade.