Artists' colours market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for artists' colours in Germany expanded significantly from 4 986 t in 2018 to 8 622 t in 2021, a growth of 73%. This period of expansion coincided with the sustained market leadership of key producer Schmincke in the gouache segment and its global expansion, reinforcing the strength of domestic manufacturers. Growth continued through 2019 and 2020, reaching 7 690 t, before peaking in 2021.

A downturn began in 2022 as market volume fell to 8 125 t, followed by a sharper decline to 6 714 t in 2023. This contraction aligned with broader industry challenges where a weak construction sector led to a 7% drop in construction paint consumption and overall sales volumes for paints, coatings, and printing inks in Germany fell by approximately 3%. The professional market segment particularly suffered, declining by 5.5%.

In 2024, the market recovered by 9.3% to 7 338 t. This rebound occurred alongside strategic moves by major industry players: AkzoNobel strengthened its position in high-performance coatings by acquiring a production site in Leipzig, while Qlayers launched a Europe-wide rental program for coating robots, introducing technological innovation to the market.

Production artists' colours in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Germany, the production value of artists' colors reached 72 641 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a robust year-over-year increase of 20.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 60 462 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 12.1% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Artists' colors production in Germany has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany produced 3 732 tons of artists' colors, representing a robust gain of 15.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 42.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports artists' colours from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany exported 4 712 tons of artists' colors in 2020, reflecting a substantial year-over-year advance of 24.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 19.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 789 tons, with the largest decline of 11.7% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany supplied artists' colors to a broad set of markets. France accounted for 16.1% of exports in kind, Austria for 15.5%, and Poland for 10.4%, together making up 42.0% of total exports. The remaining 58.0% was distributed among many smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Germany's artists' colors exports amounted to 67 971 thousand US dollars in 2020, reflecting a steep increase of 31.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 24.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 51 869 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 10.9% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, France, and Austria played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of artists' colors from Germany. Switzerland accounted for 15.2% of exports in value terms, France for 13.8%, and Austria for 12.6%, with their joint share reaching 41.6% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports artists' colours to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Artists' colors deliveries to Germany have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany imported 8 671 tons of artists' colors, which is 33.0% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 31.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 462 tons, with the largest decline of 2.0% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China, the Netherlands, and Italy accounted for the largest share of Germany's artists' colors imports in kind. China represented 33.1% of imports, the Netherlands 18.6%, and Italy 14.0%, together comprising 65.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Germany's artists' colors import volume has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume was recorded at 53 653 thousand US dollars, which is 39.1% stronger than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 41.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 37 651 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 0.6% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China, the Netherlands, and Italy were the primary suppliers of artists' colors to Germany in value terms. China accounted for 23.1% of imports, the Netherlands for 13.7%, and Italy for 13.3%, jointly making up 50.1% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020