EU chemicals sector posts wider trade surplus as exports reach record in 2025

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EU chemicals trade surplus 2025

Highlights

EU chemicals exports hit a record €605 billion in 2025, driving a widened trade surplus of €257 billion as imports reach €348 billion.
Since 2015, EU chemicals exports and imports have grown at an average 6% annually, while overall production rises to €836 billion in 2025.
Germany leads extra-EU exports at €130 billion and remains the top importer at €58 billion, with the U.S. as the largest export destination (€206 billion).

Trade growth and production trends

As reported by Eurostat, the EU imports €348 billion worth of chemicals and related products in 2025 and exports €605 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of €257 billion.

Since 2015, both imports and exports increase at an average annual rate of 6%. Over that period, imports rise by €145 billion, while exports increase by €273 billion.

In terms of sold production, the EU produces €836 billion worth of chemicals and related products in 2025. That compares with €680 billion in 2015, representing average annual growth of 2%.

Extra-EU exports reach a new high in 2025 at €605 billion, up 7% from €563 billion in 2024. Imports from outside the EU also rise 7%, from €324 billion in 2024 to €348 billion in 2025.

Leading member states and key trading partners

Among EU countries, Germany is the largest exporter of chemicals and related products to non-EU markets in 2025 with €130 billion, followed by Ireland at €115 billion, Belgium at €60 billion, Italy at €56 billion and France at €54 billion.

The main extra-EU export destinations are the U.S. at €206 billion, Switzerland at €76 billion, the UK at €48 billion, China at €32 billion and Türkiye at €17 billion. The figures indicate that transatlantic trade remains the sector's largest external market channel.

On the import side, Germany is also the largest buyer from non-EU countries in 2025 with €58 billion. Italy follows with €48 billion, ahead of Belgium at €46 billion, the Netherlands at €44 billion and Slovenia at €30 billion.

In our earlier article, we covered the WTO’s view that wars and escalating geopolitical risks are leaving lasting marks on global trade by forcing companies to redesign supply chains and shipping routes for resilience. We also noted forecasts of sharp trade contraction in the Middle East alongside expectations that regional trade could keep expanding, even as the broader outlook remains sensitive to conflicts, tariffs, and other disruptions.

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