Market evolution: Lamp parts (CN 940599) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report examines the evolution of EU trade in Parts of lamps and lighting fittings, illuminated signs and nameplates and the like, n.e.s. (CN 940599) over the period 2015–2025. This residual category captures components—primarily of metal or other materials excluding glass and plastics—that are not classified under more specific LED-specific headings. Over the past decade, the European Union's position in this market has shifted notably, with a widening trade deficit driven by growing import dependency on Asian suppliers, declining export volumes, and a simultaneous stabilization of domestic production. These dynamics reflect broader trends in globalized supply chains, energy-efficient lighting transitions, and the evolving competitive landscape of the European lighting industry.

1. A Widening Deficit: The EU's Structural Shift Toward Import Dependence

Trade balance deterioration accelerated from 2015 to 2025

The EU's trade balance in lamp parts worsened dramatically, moving from a deficit of €-131 million in 2015 to €-283 million in 2025—a deterioration of 116.7%. This structural deficit reflects the EU's role as a net importer of lighting components, a position that has deepened despite efforts to re-shore manufacturing.

Export volumes collapsed while import volumes grew steadily

The most striking feature of this period is the divergence in volumes. EU export quantities fell by 43.7% (from 15,630 tonnes to 8,797 tonnes), while import volumes rose by 17.7% (from 43,545 tonnes to 51,257 tonnes). This suggests that the EU is not only buying more components from abroad but is also losing ground as a supplier to global markets.

Unit price movements reveal a quality-adjusted divergence

Import prices remained broadly stable over the decade, declining marginally by 1.4% (from €11,100/t to €10,944/t). By contrast, export prices surged by 39.9%, rising from €22,568/t to €31,577/t. This pattern is consistent with a shift in EU exports toward higher-value, niche, or customised components, while commodity-grade parts are increasingly sourced from low-cost Asian producers. The declining volumes coupled with rising unit values suggest the EU is retreating to specialised segments of the market.

2. Asia's Dominance and Geopolitical Realignment of Trade Partners

China consolidated its position as the EU's overwhelmingly dominant supplier

China's share of EU lamp-part imports grew substantially, with import values rising from €351 million to €447 million (+27.2%). China's import value concentration (HHI) increased from 5,358 to 6,408 (+19.6%), indicating a growing reliance on a single supplier. At the end of the period, China accounted for roughly 80% of all non-EU imports in this product category.

Alternative Asian suppliers gained ground as "China-plus-one" strategies emerge

While China remains dominant, several alternative Asian suppliers registered strong growth:

Vietnam's 391% increase is particularly notable, likely reflecting the broader trend of supply-chain diversification away from China. Turkey's doubling also signals the EU's engagement with its near-neighbour manufacturing base.

Russia's collapse and Ukraine's rise reflect the impact of geopolitical shocks

EU exports to Russia plummeted by 92.4% (from €19.9 million to €1.5 million), almost certainly a consequence of EU sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Conversely, exports to Ukraine surged by 595% (from €1.5 million to €10.1 million), potentially reflecting reconstruction-related demand and closer EU-Ukraine trade integration.

The United States halved its purchases of EU lamp parts

EU exports to the United States declined by 50.9%, falling from €93.5 million to €45.9 million. This is the largest absolute decline among EU export destinations and may reflect increased US domestic production, greater competition from Asian suppliers in the US market, or shifts in US lighting standards and sourcing strategies.

Export price volatility increased significantly for emerging markets

Price shock analysis reveals notable price anomalies in EU exports: a +56.3% price shift to Canada in 2023, a +55.9% shift to Tunisia in 2022, and a -36.3% drop to Australia in 2023. These shocks suggest supply-chain disruptions, contract renegotiations, or currency effects affecting bilateral trade flows during the post-pandemic and energy-crisis period.

3. Domestic Production Resilience Amid Shifting EU Member State Dynamics

EU production remained broadly stable despite rising imports

The EU's domestic production of lamp parts held remarkably steady at approximately €594–596 million over the period (a marginal -0.3% change). This stability, combined with rising imports and declining exports, implies that domestic production is increasingly oriented toward the internal EU market rather than export channels.

Net import reliance improved modestly despite the growing trade deficit

The net import reliance ratio actually declined from 40.0% in 2015 to 30.6% in 2025 (-23.4%). This apparent paradox—wider nominal deficit but lower import reliance—is explained by the fact that production volumes remained stable while the denominator (total apparent consumption) shifted. Trade intensity also softened slightly (from 80.7% to 77.0%), suggesting the EU market became somewhat less reliant on cross-border trade flows overall.

EU member states exhibited divergent trajectories in import and export activity

The internal distribution of trade flows reveals significant heterogeneity among EU members:

Imports (top reporters):

Exports (top reporters):

Poland's 137% import growth and its strong specialisation index (RSCA of 0.35, RCA of 2.06) suggest it has become a regional assembly hub for lighting components. The Netherlands' extraordinary 85.8% export collapse—while its imports rose 51.2%—is striking and may indicate a reconfiguration of its role from a re-export gateway to a consumption and distribution market. Italy's parallel growth in both imports and exports points to a balanced integration into European lighting value chains.

Conclusion

The EU market for lamp parts (CN 940599) has undergone a profound structural transformation over 2015–2025. The trade deficit more than doubled to €283 million, driven by steadily rising imports—overwhelmingly from China—alongside a 43.7% collapse in export volumes. However, the picture is more nuanced than simple import dependency: domestic production held steady at around €595 million, net import reliance actually improved, and EU export prices rose sharply, suggesting a retreat to higher-value specialisation.

The geopolitical landscape has visibly reshaped trade flows: sanctions eliminated Russia as an export market, Ukraine emerged as a growing destination, and Vietnam rose dramatically as an alternative to Chinese sourcing. Within the EU, Poland's emergence as a manufacturing hub, the Netherlands' dramatic re-orientation, and Italy's balanced trade growth all reflect an internal reallocation of production and logistics roles.

Looking forward, the key risks centre on the EU's heavy concentration on Chinese imports (HHI of 6,408 and growing), which leaves the sector vulnerable to supply disruptions. The data suggests the industry is already responding—through Vietnam diversification, higher-value export positioning, and stable domestic production—but the pace and depth of these adjustments will determine the EU's strategic autonomy in this essential component of its lighting and building-infrastructure ecosystem.