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Data extracted in October 2024

Planned article update: October 2025

Highlights

In the EU, in 2022, the number of importers and exporters in 'wholesale and retail trade' was higher than in 'industry', especially for imports.

In the EU, in 2022, the value of imports and exports of goods was higher in 'industry' than in 'wholesale and retail trade' especially for exports.

[[File:International trade in goods by economic sector24-10-2024.xlsx]]

Number of enterprises by main economic sectors, EU, 2017 - 2022

  • Source: Eurostat (online data code: ext_tec01) and Eurostat estimations.


International trade in goods statistics play a vital role in the assessment of an economy. Combining them with additional information from other sources, particularly business statistics, significantly enriches them; providing a closer view of traders and their characteristics such as size, sector of economic activity or level of concentration. This allows for a deeper analysis of the impact of trade on employment, production and value added, which is essential in a globalised world where economies are increasingly interconnected.

This article focusses on trade in the EU countries, comparing 'industry' (NACE sections B, C, D and E) with 'wholesale and retail trade' (NACE section G). Firstly, we will take a look at total trade and then, separately, at intra-EU and extra-EU trade.


Declining share of number of enterprises in both 'industry' and 'wholesale and retail trade'

Figure 1 shows the share by main economic category of the number of enterprises in the EU importing and exporting goods. For importing enterprises, in both 'industry' and 'wholesale and retail trade', the share of number of enterprises declined slowly over time while the share in 'other' (agriculture, construction and service related enterprises) increased. For exporting enterprises the share for 'industry' decreased, for 'other' it increased while for 'wholesale and retail trade', after an initial decline between 2017 and 2019, bounced back in 2020 and 2021 and in 2023 ended slightly below the share it had in 2017.

Line chart showing number of enterprises by main economic sectors as percentage of enterprises with known economic sectors in the EU. Six lines represent imports industry, imports wholesale and retail trade, imports other, exports industry, exports wholesale and retail trade and exports other over the years 2017 to 2022.
Figure 1: Number_of_enterprises_by_main_economic_sectors,_EU,_2014_-_2022
(%)
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)

While 'industry' in 2022 had only a 14.0% share in the number of importing enterprises its share in value of imports (47.7%) was much higher (Figure 2). The opposite was true for 'other', having the highest share in the number of importing enterprises (51.8%) but the lowest share in value of imports (10.3%). The share of 'wholesale and retail trade' in the number of importing enterprises (34.3%) was lower than the share in value of imports (42.0%).

Two pie charts showing EU imports of goods by three economic sectors: industry, wholesale and retail trade and other for the year 2022. One pie chart shows the percentage number of industries, the other percentage value of imports. A horizontal bar chart below shows the average imports per sector enterprise in euros.
Figure 2: EU imports of goods by economic sector, 2022
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)

For exports in 2022, 'industry' had the smallest share in the number of enterprises (26.1%) although it was almost double the share of 'industry' in imports (14.0%). However, when measured in value, 'industry' dominates exports with 68.4% of all exports. 'Wholesale and retail trade' had the highest share in the number of enterprises, accounting for 42.8% of the number of enterprises but its share in value of exports was only 22.5%.

Two pie charts showing EU exports of goods by three economic sectors: industry, wholesale and retail trade and other for the year 2022. One pie chart shows the percentage number of industries, the other percentage value of exports. A horizontal bar chart below shows the average imports per sector enterprise in euros.
Figure 3: EU exports of goods by economic sector, 2022
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)

Regarding imports in 2022, among the 3 economic sectors shown in Table 1, 'industry' had the lowest share in the number of enterprises in all EU countries. Whereas, measured in value of imports, in a majority of the EU countries 'industry' had the highest share.

Table showing percentage of enterprises importing goods and their percentage value of imports by economic sector in the EU, individual EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Türkiye for the year 2022.
Table 1: Enterprises importing goods by economic sector, 2022
(%)
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)

Regarding exports in 2022, among the 3 economic categories shown in Table 2, in most countries, 'wholesale and retail trade' had the highest share in the number of enterprises. Measured in value of exports in most countries, 'industry' had the highest share.

Table showing percentage of enterprises exporting goods and their percentage value of exports by economic sector in the EU, individual EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Türkiye for the year 2022.
Table 2: Enterprises exporting goods by economic sector, 2022
(%)
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)


Intra-EU trade by economic sector

Figures 4 to 7 show shares in the number of enterprises and trade value of enterprises trading with other EU countries (intra-EU trade). It is interesting to compare Figure 4, showing the shares in the number of importing enterprises, with Figure 5, showing the shares in the value of imports. Regarding 'industry' in 2022, the share in the number of enterprises was highest in Czechia (34%), Croatia (27%) and Bulgaria (25%). However, the share in value was considerably higher in Czechia (55%) than in Croatia (38%) or Bulgaria (34%).

Regarding 'wholesale and retail trade' in 2022, Bulgaria had the highest share in the number of importing enterprises (61%), and the second highest share in value of imports (61%). Only Denmark (67%) had a higher share in the value of imports.

Stacked vertical bar chart showing intra-EU imports of goods by economic sector as percentage of number of importing enterprises in the EU and individual EU Member States. Totalling 100 percent, each country column has three stacks representing industry, wholesale and retail trade and other for the year 2022.
Figure 4: Intra-EU imports of goods by economic sector, 2022
(% of number of importing enterprises)
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)
Stacked vertical bar chart showing intra-EU imports of goods by economic sector as percentage of import value in the EU and individual EU Member States. Totalling 100 percent, each country column has three stacks representing industry, wholesale and retail trade and other for the year 2022.
Figure 5: Intra-EU imports of goods by economic sector, 2022
(% of import value)
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)

Similar comparisons for intra-EU exports can be made by comparing Figure 6, showing the shares in the number of exporting enterprises, with Figure 7, showing the shares in the value of exports. Regarding 'industry' in 2022, the share in the number of enterprises was above 50% only in Czechia (52%) while shares in the export value of enterprises were above 50% in most EU countries.

Regarding 'wholesale and retail trade' Luxembourg (60%) had the highest share in the number of exporting enterprises and the also in the value of exports (50%).

Stacked vertical bar chart showing intra-EU exports of goods by economic sector as percentage of number of exporting enterprises in the EU and individual EU Member States. Totalling 100 percent, each country column has three stacks representing industry, wholesale and retail trade and other for the year 2022.
Figure 6: Intra-EU exports of goods by economic sector, 2022
(% of number of exporting enterprises)
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)
Stacked vertical bar chart showing intra-EU exports of goods by economic sector as percentage of export value in the EU and individual EU Member States. Totalling 100 percent, each country column has three stacks representing industry, wholesale and retail trade and other for the year 2022.
Figure 7: Intra-EU exports of goods by economic sector, 2022
(% of export value)
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)

Extra-EU trade by economic sector

Figures 8 to 11 show shares in the number of enterprises and trade value of enterprises trading with other countries outside the EU (extra-EU trade). In extra-EU imports in 2022, comparing Figure 8 (share in number of importing enterprises) with Figure 9 (value of imports) shows Italy (41%) had the highest share of importing enterprises in 'industry'. In value of imports in 'industry', the highest share was held by Slovakia (83%).

Regarding 'wholesale and retail trade' in 2022, Greece and Lithuania (both 51%) had the highest share in number of importing enterprises. Denmark (50%) was the only EU country where more than half of imports were in 'wholesale and retail trade'.

Stacked vertical bar chart showing extra-EU imports of goods by economic sector as percentage of number of importing enterprises in the EU and individual EU Member States. Totalling 100 percent, each country column has three stacks representing industry, wholesale and retail trade and other for the year 2022.
Figure 8: Extra-EU imports of goods by economic sector, 2022
(% of number of importing enterprises)
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)
Stacked vertical bar chart showing extra-EU imports of goods by economic sector as percentage of import value in the EU and individual EU Member States. Totalling 100 percent, each country column has three stacks representing industry, wholesale and retail trade and other for the year 2022.
Figure 9: Extra-EU imports of goods by economic sector, 2022
(% of import value)
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)

Regarding extra-EU exports (Figures 10 and 11) in 'industry' in 2022, Italy had the highest share in the number of exporting enterprises (48%). Slovenia and Ireland had the highest share in value of exports (both 88%).

Regarding 'wholesale and retail trade' in 2022, Denmark had the highest share in the number of exporting enterprises (52%). Bulgaria and Latvia had the highest share in value of exports (both 36%).

Stacked vertical bar chart showing extra-EU exports of goods by economic sector as percentage of number of exporting enterprises in the EU and individual EU Member States. Totalling 100 percent, each country column has three stacks representing industry, wholesale and retail trade and other for the year 2022.
Figure 10: Extra-EU exports of goods by economic sector, 2022
(% of number of exporting enterprises)
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)
Stacked vertical bar chart showing extra-EU exports of goods by economic sector as percentage of export value in the EU and individual EU Member States. Totalling 100 percent, each country column has three stacks representing industry, wholesale and retail trade and other for the year 2022.
Figure 11: Extra-EU exports of goods by economic sector, 2022
(% of export value))
Source: Eurostat (ext_tec01)

Source data for tables and graphs

Data sources

The reporting of international trade in goods statistics by enterprise characteristics consists of data collection independent of the monthly trade in goods statistics. This data collection has been included in the revised Intrastat (respectively Extrastat) Regulations published in 2009 that came into force for the reference year 2009 (respectively 2010) onwards.

The compilation of trade flows (exports and imports) by enterprise characteristics is based on linking micro-data on intra- and extra-EU trade with structural information from business registers. The trade value of each trader, by product code and partner country, is combined with the main enterprise characteristics (economic activity and number of employees) retrieved from the business registers. Only aggregated results (i.e. no micro-data) are provided to Eurostat. Confidentiality is applied in the statistics disseminated to ensure that it is not possible to identify an enterprise or a trader.

Trade value

The value of traded goods is calculated at the national border, on a FOB basis (free on board) for exports and a CIF (cost, insurance, freight) basis for imports. Hence, only incidental expenses (freight, insurance) are included and they are incurred for:

  • exports in the part of the journey located on the territory of the EU Member State where the goods are exported from;
  • imports in the part of the journey located outside the territory of the EU Member State where the goods are imported to.

Number of enterprises

The number of enterprises consists of a count of the number of enterprises involved in trade during at least a part of the reference period. For intra-EU trade, VAT data are used to estimate the number of traders and the trade value of the smallest traders exempt from Intrastat reporting. These traders account for a limited share of the trade value but in terms of number of enterprises represent the majority.

Number of employees

The number of employees refers to the number of those persons who work for an employer and who have a contract of employment and receive compensation in the form of wages, salaries, fees, gratuities, piecework pay or remuneration in kind. A worker is considered a wage or salary earner of a particular unit if he/she receives a wage or salary from the unit regardless of where the work is done (in or outside the production unit).

To determine the enterprise size classes, the number of employees is used. The intention is to use the situation at the end of year (including seasonally active units). As the end date approach is not harmonised, the annual average can also be used as reference calculated for a certain period.

Statistical unit

The statistical unit is the enterprise. However, the enterprise concept has not yet been implemented by all the reporting countries. When the enterprise concept has not yet been implemented, reporting countries use the legal unit as an approximation of the statistical unit. More information is available in the metadata file (points 3.5 and 15.1). Legal unit and enterprise are defined as follows:

  • The legal unit is a part of the legal and administrative world. Only a legal unit may enter into contracts, be an owner of a property, rights or goods (i.e. production factors). However, a legal unit does not always reflect an economic activity. This is because a legal unit is a construct of law and administration.
  • The enterprise is the smallest combination of legal units that is an organisational unit producing goods or services, which benefits from a certain degree of autonomy in decision making, especially for the allocation of its current resources. An enterprise carries out one or more activities at one or more locations. It may also be a sole legal unit.


The Business Register Regulation establishes a link between the business registers and the registers of intra- and extra-EU trade operators through a common unit of reference, namely the legal unit. The same regulation also defines the link between the legal unit and the enterprise. Via the legal unit, trade in goods data can then be linked to enterprise characteristics available in the Business Register such as the economic activity or the number of employees. <context>

Context

International trade in goods statistics play a vital role in the assessment of every economy. By combining these statistics with additional information on characteristics of enterprises involved in international trade, such as the size and the sector of economic activity, trade data are significantly enhanced. Generally speaking, trade statistics show movements of goods between countries by goods categories. However, they do not provide explicit information on the businesses that are behind these trade flows. In a globalised world where economies are increasingly interconnected, it is more and more important to know traders and their characteristics. This requires linking trade statistics with other sources, particularly with business statistics, which describe the structure and evaluation of the activities of businesses.

International trade in goods by enterprise characteristics is a statistical domain, which, unlike traditional trade statistics, aims at describing the structure of trade by characteristics of the trading enterprises, for instance, by their economic activities, their size or concentration of trade. It is based on linking trade micro-data with business register information, allowing a deeper analysis of the impact of trade on employment, production and value added.

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