Market evolution: Live exotic animals (CN 0106) — 2015–2025
Introduction
CN 0106 covers a heterogeneous group of live animals not elsewhere classified in the EU's Combined Nomenclature — including primates, reptiles, insects, bees, camels, rabbits, birds of prey, psittaciformes, and many other species. Excluding the major livestock and aquaculture headings, this residual category captures a wide range of exotic and specialty animals traded for purposes ranging from zoological collections and research to pet ownership, apiculture, and industrial insect farming.
Over the 2015–2025 period, the EU's trade in this product class has expanded substantially in value, with exports growing faster than imports and the trade surplus widening by nearly 45%. Beneath this headline, however, the market has undergone a profound structural transformation. The product mix has shifted decisively: live insects and bees have emerged as the dominant export growth drivers, while primate imports have become increasingly expensive despite declining in volume. Geographically, the United States and Canada have consolidated their positions as the EU's key export partners, while import sourcing has become more volatile, with dramatic price shocks affecting certain supply lines. This report examines these dynamics across three thematic sections.
A full overview of CN 0106 trade and its sub-headings can be explored on the Trade Dashboard overview.
1. A Widening Surplus Anchored by Accelerating Export Growth
1.1 The EU's trade surplus in live exotic animals has grown by 45% to nearly €130 million
The EU has maintained a consistent trade surplus in CN 0106 throughout the 2015–2025 period. In 2015, exports stood at €174.8 million against imports of €85.1 million, yielding a surplus of €89.7 million. By 2025, exports had risen to €265.2 million while imports reached €135.4 million, producing a surplus of €129.8 million. This represents a cumulative increase of +51.7% in exports and +59.0% in imports, with the surplus widening by +44.8%.
| Flow | 2015 (€M) | 2025 (€M) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | 174.8 | 265.2 | +51.7 |
| Imports | 85.1 | 135.4 | +59.0 |
| Trade balance | 89.7 | 129.8 | +44.8 |
Source: General Overview — Trade
While imports have grown faster in percentage terms, the EU's surplus has still widened in absolute value because exports started from a much higher base. The EU's role as a net exporter of live exotic animals reflects its strength in insect breeding, beekeeping exports, and the re-export of certain captive-bred species.
1.2 Unit-price dynamics reveal a structural divergence between imports and exports
The growth in export value has been driven by both volume and price increases: export quantities rose by +36.0% (from 4,289 tonnes to 5,832 tonnes) while unit prices increased by +11.5% (from €40,755/t to €45,456/t).
Imports tell a very different story. Import volumes barely changed, growing only +2.5% (from 2,190 tonnes to 2,245 tonnes), yet import values surged by +59.0%. The explanation lies in a dramatic +55.1% increase in average import prices, from €38,865/t to €60,273/t. This indicates that the EU is importing fewer but significantly more expensive animals — a pattern consistent with premiumisation in primate and specialty-mammal markets.
| Metric | Exports 2015 | Exports 2025 | Exports Δ | Imports 2015 | Imports 2025 | Imports Δ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value (€M) | 174.8 | 265.2 | +51.7% | 85.1 | 135.4 | +59.0% |
| Quantity (t) | 4,289 | 5,832 | +36.0% | 2,190 | 2,245 | +2.5% |
| Price (€/t) | 40,755 | 45,456 | +11.5% | 38,865 | 60,273 | +55.1% |
1.3 The Netherlands dominates exports while France leads imports
On the export side, the Netherlands has consolidated its position as the EU's primary re-export hub, growing from €49.1 million to €97.0 million (+97.4%) and accounting for approximately 37% of all EU exports by 2025. Belgium remains the second-largest exporter (€42.2 million, +26.9%), while Spain has been the fastest-growing major exporter, surging from €10.3 million to €35.0 million (+240.4%). In contrast, Denmark's export position has collapsed, falling from €17.6 million to €2.9 million (−83.7%).
| EU Member State | Exports 2015 (€M) | Exports 2025 (€M) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 49.1 | 97.0 | +97.4 |
| Belgium | 33.3 | 42.2 | +26.9 |
| Spain | 10.3 | 35.0 | +240.4 |
| Germany | 11.6 | 22.0 | +89.9 |
| France | 23.0 | 21.1 | −8.3 |
| Denmark | 17.6 | 2.9 | −83.7 |
| Czechia | 5.1 | 9.5 | +85.5 |
On the import side, France is the largest EU importer, growing from €20.2 million to €36.6 million (+81.2%), followed by Germany (€24.4 million, +35.5%) and Belgium (€18.7 million, +103.4%). Italy is the only major importer to have declined (−28.2%).
Source: EU Member States — Reporters
2. Insects, Bees, and Primates Reshape the Product Mix
The aggregate trade figures conceal a fundamental shift in the composition of traded animals. Two segments — live insects and live bees — have been the standout growth stories on the export side, while primates have driven import value growth despite declining volumes. Meanwhile, reptile trade has contracted meaningfully.
2.1 Live insects have become the EU's largest export category, rising nearly sixfold in value
The most dramatic development in the EU's CN 0106 trade has been the explosion of live insect exports. Segment 010649 (live insects, excluding bees) grew from €11.9 million in 2015 to €65.6 million in 2025 — a +450% increase that makes it the single largest export sub-category. Export volumes more than tripled (507 tonnes to 1,773 tonnes, +250%), while export unit prices rose by +57% (from €23,560/t to €36,990/t).
| Segment | 2015 Value (€M) | 2025 Value (€M) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 010649 — Live insects (excl. bees) | 11.9 | 65.6 | +450 |
| 010690 — Other live animals | 50.1 | 58.8 | +17 |
| 010619 — Other mammals | 49.8 | 54.6 | +10 |
| 010639 — Other birds | 31.5 | 23.0 | −27 |
| 010641 — Live bees | 1.4 | 15.4 | +1,013 |
| 010614 — Live rabbits | 1.1 | 1.6 | +44 |
| 010613 — Camels and camelids | 0.3 | 0.4 | +38 |
Source: Product segment comparison
The insect segment alone accounts for over half of the total increase in EU exports of CN 0106 over the decade. This growth likely reflects the EU's emergence as a leader in insect-based protein production (following EU regulatory approvals for insect meal in animal feed around 2017–2018), combined with strong exports of biological control insects and specialty feeder insects for the reptile and aviculture markets.
2.2 Bee exports have surged over tenfold, reflecting global demand for pollinators
Live bees (010641) represent the fastest-growing sub-segment in percentage terms. Export value increased from just €1.4 million in 2015 to €15.4 million in 2025 — a +1,013% increase. Volume growth was similarly dramatic, rising from 133 tonnes to 1,554 tonnes (+1,069%). Notably, unit prices actually declined slightly (from €10,434/t to €9,923/t, −4.9%), indicating that growth has been volume-driven rather than price-driven.
This trend aligns with heightened global awareness of pollinator decline, the expansion of commercial beekeeping, and growing demand for managed pollination services in agriculture worldwide. The EU, particularly through Member States with strong apiculture traditions, has positioned itself as a major supplier of live bee colonies and queen bees to non-EU markets.
2.3 Primate imports have tripled in value despite a near-halving of traded volumes
Segment 010611 (live primates) has become the EU's single largest import category by value, growing from €12.2 million in 2015 to €39.1 million in 2025 (+219%). However, this growth masks a striking paradox: the number of primates imported has actually declined, from approximately 5,946 individuals in 2015 to 3,262 in 2025 (−45% in supplementary unit count), while the average price per animal has soared from roughly €2,055 to €11,982 (+483%).
| Metric | 2015 | 2025 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value (€M) | 12.2 | 39.1 | +219 |
| Volume (t) | 20.1 | 17.2 | −14 |
| Number of items | 5,946 | 3,262 | −45 |
| Price per item (€) | 2,055 | 11,982 | +483 |
This premiumisation likely reflects several converging factors: tightening CITES regulations on primate trade, increasing restrictions on pet-keeping of primates across Member States, and a growing concentration of imports in research and captive-breeding contexts where individual animals command far higher values than those traded for the pet market.
2.4 Reptile imports have contracted in both volume and value
The import of live reptiles (010620) has followed the opposite trajectory. The number of reptiles imported fell from approximately 1,013,460 individuals in 2015 to 584,288 in 2025 (−42.3%), while import value declined from €4.2 million to €2.8 million (−32.8%). The price per animal rose modestly from €4.13 to €4.81 (+16.5%), partially offsetting the volume decline.
This contraction is consistent with the EU's evolving regulatory framework around the exotic pet trade, including stricter enforcement of CITES provisions and national-level bans or restrictions on certain reptile species. The decline also likely reflects the growing capacity of EU-based reptile breeding operations, reducing the need for wild-caught or imported specimens.
3. Geographic Reorientation, Concentration, and Supply Shocks
3.1 The United States and Canada have become the EU's primary non-EU export destinations
The EU's export geography has shifted markedly toward North America. The United States was already the second-largest export partner in 2015 (€21.0 million), but by 2025 it had become the dominant destination at €53.5 million (+154.4%). Canada followed a similar trajectory, growing from €9.6 million to €24.4 million (+155.1%). Together, these two markets now absorb roughly 29% of all EU exports of live exotic animals.
The United Kingdom remains a major partner (€39.6 million, +60.5%), though its growth has been more moderate. Morocco stands out as a rapidly emerging market, growing from €3.5 million to €13.0 million (+274.2%).
| Partner | Exports 2015 (€M) | Exports 2025 (€M) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 21.0 | 53.5 | +154.4 |
| United Kingdom | 24.6 | 39.6 | +60.5 |
| Canada | 9.6 | 24.4 | +155.1 |
| Switzerland | 12.8 | 18.1 | +41.3 |
| Morocco | 3.5 | 13.0 | +274.2 |
| Japan | 7.8 | 12.7 | +63.2 |
| Russian Federation | 2.8 | 5.2 | +84.5 |
Source: Partners
3.2 Import sourcing shows divergent trajectories among key partners
On the import side, the United States remains the EU's largest non-EU supplier (€25.1 million, +5.2%), followed by the United Kingdom (€15.5 million, +16.9%) and China (€7.1 million, −5.1%). These three partners have shown relatively stable supply relationships over the decade.
More dramatic changes have occurred among smaller suppliers. Belarus surged from just €17,195 in 2015 to a peak of over €3.5 million before settling at €1.3 million in 2025 — an apparent volatility-driven trajectory reflecting geopolitical disruptions. Conversely, Chile's supply collapsed from €671,000 to just €5,733 (−99.1%), while Ukraine declined from €713,000 to €270,000 (−62.1%), with the latter likely reflecting the impact of the ongoing conflict.
| Partner | Imports 2015 (€M) | Imports 2025 (€M) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 23.8 | 25.1 | +5.2 |
| United Kingdom | 13.2 | 15.5 | +16.9 |
| China | 7.5 | 7.1 | −5.1 |
| Canada | 4.0 | 4.4 | +10.9 |
| Belarus | 0.02 | 1.3 | +7,493 |
| Chile | 0.7 | 0.006 | −99.1 |
| Ukraine | 0.7 | 0.3 | −62.1 |
The concentration index (HHI) for import value declined from 1,341 to 1,171 (−12.7%), indicating a moderate diversification of import sources. Export-side concentration, by contrast, increased from 741 to 934 (+26.0%), suggesting a growing reliance on a smaller number of key destination markets.
3.3 Severe price shocks have disrupted specific import supply lines
The volatility analysis reveals several notable supply-side disruptions:
| Partner | Flow | Shock Year | Type | Price Shift (%) | Abnormality Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Israel | Imports | 2020 | Price | +328.0 | 53.9 |
| Chile | Imports | 2022 | Price | +1,826.1 | 41.4 |
| Canada | Imports | 2020 | Price | +43.8 | 149.6 |
Source: Supply shocks
The Israel import price shock of 2020 (+328%), representing 13.3% of import value, is particularly significant and may be linked to pandemic-era disruptions or regulatory changes affecting specific species categories. Chile's extreme 2022 price spike (+1,826%) occurred against the backdrop of what became a near-total collapse of imports from that partner, suggesting a possible final regulatory or commercial disruption. Canada's 2020 shock (+43.8%) is broadly consistent with COVID-19-related logistics disruptions affecting animal transport.
Among export partners, China shows the highest volatility (coefficient of variation: 0.90), while Switzerland (0.06) and Japan (0.12) are the most stable destinations.
3.4 Intra-EU leadership has been reshuffled, with Denmark exiting and Spain rising
The decade has seen a remarkable reshuffling of which EU Member States drive CN 0106 exports. Denmark, which exported €17.6 million in 2015, saw its exports collapse to €2.9 million by 2025 (−83.7%), dropping it from a top-five position to near-irrelevance. Similarly, France's export position weakened modestly (−8.3%), despite remaining a top-five exporter.
These declines were more than offset by the explosive growth of Spain (+240.4%), the Netherlands (+97.4%), Germany (+89.9%), and Czechia (+85.5%). Spain's rise is particularly noteworthy and may reflect the expansion of insect breeding facilities, reptile farms, and other animal husbandry operations leveraging the country's favourable climate.
The specialisation data for 2025 confirms that Denmark retains the highest Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA = 0.574) in this product class, followed by Portugal (0.534), Belgium (0.328), and the Netherlands (0.325). However, Denmark's specialisation is now exercised over a much smaller absolute trade volume, while the Netherlands and Belgium combine high specialisation with dominant market shares.
Conclusion
The EU's trade in live exotic animals under CN 0106 has grown significantly over the 2015–2025 period, with the trade surplus widening to nearly €130 million by 2025. However, the headline growth masks a market that has been fundamentally restructured in terms of product composition, geography, and pricing.
The most transformative shift has been the rise of the insect economy. Live insect exports have grown sixfold to become the EU's largest single export segment, while bee exports have surged over tenfold. These two categories — both driven by agricultural innovation, pollinator demand, and the emerging bio-economy — now account for the bulk of the EU's export growth. On the import side, primates have become the dominant category by value, but the market has moved sharply toward fewer, far more expensive animals, consistent with tighter regulation and a shift away from the pet trade.
Geographically, North America has become the EU's most important export market, while import sourcing has undergone significant volatility. The collapse of Chilean supply, the disruption of Ukraine-related trade, and dramatic price shocks affecting Israeli and Canadian imports all point to a market exposed to regulatory, geopolitical, and pandemic-related risks. Within the EU, the near-disappearance of Denmark from the market and the rapid ascent of Spain reflect a broader reorganisation of breeding and re-export capacity.
Looking ahead, the continued expansion of the insect industry, the evolving regulatory landscape for exotic pets, and the EU's role in global conservation governance will be the key forces shaping this market's trajectory.