Market evolution: Textile wicks and gas mantles (CN 5908) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyses the evolution of intra-EU and extra-EU trade for products classified under customs code 5908, covering textile wicks and incandescent gas mantles, between 2015 and 2025. The analysis reveals a market characterized by a fundamental shift from import dependency to net export strength, driven by significant price increases and evolving global supply chains. Key dynamics include a decline in trade volumes coupled with rising values, the emergence of new key partners, and notable volatility triggered by specific price shocks.

The Shift from Import Dependency to Net Export Strength

A defining trend of the period is the European Union's transformation into a strong net exporter of CN 5908 products. While the trade balance was positive at the start of the period, it expanded dramatically.

The Strengthening Export Position

The EU's export performance outpaced that of imports. Although export volume fell by 45.3% (from 439.5 tonnes to 240.6 tonnes), export value increased by 9.4% to reach €5.6 million in 2025. This divergence points to a fundamental shift in the product mix or market focus towards higher-value segments. Concurrently, domestic production grew robustly, with value rising by 49.0% to €762.7 million, indicating strong capacity expansion within the bloc.

Declining Import Volumes and the Net Export Surge

Import volumes experienced a similar decline, falling by 45.1% to 121.1 tonnes, while import value decreased by 26.2% to €3.0 million. The combination of growing exports and falling imports significantly strengthened the EU's net export position. The net export value grew by 147% to €2.6 million, and the net import reliance metric shifted from -51.5% to -253.4%, confirming the EU's role as a major net supplier to the world.

A Price-Volume Divergence and Heightened Volatility

The most striking economic feature is the strong divergence between falling volumes and rising unit prices, which ultimately drove value trends.

The Dramatic Rise in Unit Prices

Both export and import prices increased substantially over the period. The average export price surged by 104.1%, rising from €11,411 per tonne to €23,295 per tonne. Import prices also rose, but more moderately, by 34.3% to €24,831 per tonne. This price inflation outpaced the decline in traded volumes, allowing overall trade values to remain resilient or even increase for exports.

Volatility and Specific Supply Shocks

Trade flows, particularly imports, showed significant volatility. A key event was a major price shock in 2018. Import prices from China jumped abnormally (+59.1%), affecting 30.6% of import value. Similar price spikes were recorded for exports to the Philippines and Switzerland, suggesting broad-based market adjustments or cost increases during that year.

Geopolitical Reshuffling and Market Concentration

The period witnessed a major reorganization of the EU's main trading partners, altering the market's geographic concentration.

The Waning Role of the United Kingdom and the Rise of China and Vietnam

The United Kingdom, once the EU's top import source, saw its share collapse by 85.8% to €217,195 in 2025, a likely consequence of Brexit-related trade barriers. In exports, the UK's role also diminished (-55.1%). In contrast, China's share in EU imports nearly tripled (+186.5%). On the export side, Vietnam emerged as a key destination, with EU export values growing by 570.5%.

Evolving Internal Specialization and External Market Focus

Within the EU, specialization shifted. Poland and Germany became the most specialized producers. Externally, the EU's export propensity grew significantly (+74.6%), with the bloc increasingly directing a larger share of its output to extra-EU markets, particularly in North America (Mexico, USA) and Asia.

Conclusion

Between 2015 and 2025, the EU market for textile wicks and gas mantles (CN 5908) underwent a structural transformation. The bloc solidified its position as a net exporter, achieved through a combination of rising domestic production, a shift towards higher-value trade, and a strategic reorientation of trade partners away from the UK and towards Asia and North America. While the market faces increased price volatility and a higher concentration on specific external partners, the underlying trend is one of strengthened competitiveness and growing export capacity in this specialized textile segment.