Market evolution: 美術品骨董品 (CN 97) — 2015–2025
Introduction
This report analyzes the evolution of trade in works of art, collectors' pieces, and antiques (CN 97) by the European Union with non-EU countries from 2015 to 2025. The decade was characterized by robust growth in the overall trade value, yet a fundamental shift in the EU's trade balance. While EU exports grew, imports surged at a significantly faster pace, transforming the EU from a net exporter to a net importer by value, though the balance narrowed again by the end of the period. The analysis identifies key trends in trade volumes, prices, and partner relationships that shaped this dynamic market.
1. 貿易収支の急激な変化：黒字から赤字を経て再均衡へ
The EU's trade balance in CN 97 underwent a dramatic transformation, shifting from a consistent surplus to a significant deficit before partially recovering.
1.1 輸入の急伸と輸出の緩やかな成長
The core driver of the balance shift was the stark difference in growth rates between imports and exports. The value of EU imports increased by 112.8% (from €1.98 billion in 2015 to €4.22 billion in 2025). In contrast, the value of EU exports grew by 37.3% (from €3.12 billion to €4.28 billion).
| 指標 (Indicator) | 2015 | 2025 | 変化率 (Change) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 輸出額 (Export Value) | €3.12 billion | €4.28 billion | +37.3% |
| 輸入額 (Import Value) | €1.98 billion | €4.22 billion | +112.8% |
| 貿易収支 (Balance) | €1.14 billion | €0.06 billion | -94.6% |
1.2 価格上昇と数量減少が示す質的シフト
Import growth was entirely value-driven, masking a decline in physical volume. The quantity of imports decreased by 32.7% (from 50,586 tonnes to 34,040 tonnes), while the average import price per tonne soared by 216.2%. This indicates that the EU was importing fewer items but paying significantly more for them, suggesting a focus on higher-value pieces. Export quantity grew modestly by 8.8%, with price per tonne increasing by 26.1%.
2. 価格ダイナミクスと市場の変容
Price evolution was not uniform across segments, revealing a market increasingly skewed towards high-value fine art.
2.1 絵画（CN 9701）と彫刻（CN 9703）の価値支配
A product segment analysis shows that "Paintings and drawings" (CN 9701) dominated import value, accounting for €2.28 billion in 2025. Its import price per tonne reached €717,658, confirming it as the highest-value segment. "Original sculptures" (CN 9703) was the second-largest segment by import value (€683 million in 2025). Conversely, the lower-volume but high-unit-value antique segment (CN 9706) saw its import price fluctuate significantly.
| 製品区分 (Product) | 2025 輸入額 (Import Value) | 2025 輸入単価 (Import Price per tonne) | 主要傾向 (Key Trend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN 9701 (絵画) | €2.28 billion | €717,658 | 最大の価値を占める。価格は上昇。 |
| CN 9703 (彫刻) | €683 million | €289,504 | 価値は安定的に成長。 |
| CN 9705 (収集品) | €925 million | €33,819 | 数量が最大だが単価は低い。 |
| CN 9706 (骨董品) | €219 million | €266,176 | 価格変動が大きい。 |
2.2 輸出における「絵画」の堅調さと品目間格差
EU exports were also dominated by paintings (CN 9701), which reached €2.33 billion in 2025 with a consistently high export price per tonne (€1.71 million). This segment's strength underpinned overall export performance. The product comparison reveals a wide dispersion in unit values, indicating a heterogeneous market where a small number of high-value transactions can sway aggregate figures.
3. 主要貿易パートナーの構造変動とボラティリティ
The geographic landscape of trade underwent significant reshuffling, accompanied by notable price volatility with certain partners.
3.1 米国と英国：二大パートナーの台頭と揺らぎ
The United States solidified its position as the EU's top partner for both imports and exports. More striking was the explosive growth in trade with the United Kingdom; import value from the UK grew by 473.9%. Switzerland remained a crucial, though more stable, hub. The volatility of trade with specific partners was high: the UK showed a coefficient of variation (CV) of 0.74 for imports, indicating significant year-to-year fluctuations.
| 主要パートナー (Partner) | 2015 輸入額 | 2025 輸入額 | 変化率 | 2025 輸出額 | 変化率 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 米国 (USA) | €1.06 bn | €1.39 bn | +31.1% | €1.84 bn | +54.2% |
| 英国 (UK) | €0.19 bn | €1.10 bn | +473.9% | €0.77 bn | +90.3% |
| スイス (Switzerland) | €0.45 bn | €1.04 bn | +129.6% | €0.70 bn | -18.6% |
3.2 地政学的ショックとロシア貿易の崩壊
A profound geopolitical shock is evident in the near-total collapse of exports to the Russian Federation, which plummeted by 99.4% (from €36 million to €211 thousand) between 2015 and 2025. This is the most extreme change among top partners. Meanwhile, the concentration index (HHI) for imports decreased by 25.2%, indicating a diversification of import sources away from any single dominant supplier.
3.3 EU内貿易国間の格差と専門化
Within the EU, trade was highly concentrated. France was the leading reporter for both imports and exports. Specialization analysis for 2025 shows that Malta and France had the highest Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) in this sector, highlighting its relative economic importance to them, whereas Eastern European members like Bulgaria and Hungary showed minimal specialization.
Conclusion
Over the 2015-2025 period, the EU market for works of art, collectors' pieces, and antiques (CN 97) experienced a fundamental structural shift. The most significant trend was the erosion of the EU's trade surplus, driven by a massive increase in the value of imports that outpaced export growth. This import boom was characterized by rising unit prices rather than increased physical volume, pointing to a market chasing high-value items. Trade relationships were redefined by the explosive growth in UK trade and the complete cessation of exports to Russia. While the market demonstrated resilience with overall value growth, the change in the balance and the high volatility observed with key partners underscore its susceptibility to economic sentiment, policy changes, and geopolitical events. The EU has evolved from a net exporter to a near-balanced trader in this unique market, where artistic and historical value heavily outweighs volume considerations.