Ball bearings market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the German ball bearings market volume contracted sharply, falling from 132.3 thousand tons to 79.4 thousand tons. This represented a decline of over 40% within two years, with the most pronounced drop occurring in 2020.

A recovery followed in 2021 and 2022, bringing the market size to 92.8 thousand tons and then 98.2 thousand tons, respectively. However, this upward trend reversed in 2023, and by 2024 the market volume had decreased to 70.2 thousand tons.

During the latter part of the period, major industry players like Schaeffler AG and SKF introduced new products and formed partnerships aimed at electric mobility and wind energy sectors, signaling a market shift towards specialized bearings despite the overall volume reduction.

Production ball bearings in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's ball bearings production declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, output reached its peak at 1 083 million US dollars, but then fell by 10.4% in 2020 to 881 million US dollars, marking a 9.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 9.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 11.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Ball bearings production in Germany fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany produced 40 250 tonnes of ball bearings, which was 17.9% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 31.4%, translating to an average annual decline of 11.8%.

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

Exports ball bearings from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of ball bearings declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 59.5 thousand tonnes, down 7.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 17.3%, with an average annual decrease of 6.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's ball bearings exports were spread across numerous markets. The top three destinations—China with 11.8% of exports, Italy with 9.7%, and Poland with 5.8%—together accounted for just 27.2% of total export volume.

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, M $ US

Germany's ball bearings exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value stood at 1 585 million US dollars, a 7.1% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 9.2%, averaging an annual decline of 3.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 891 million US dollars, with an 8.4% increase that year, while the largest decline of 9.8% occurred in 2019.

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

An analysis of Germany's ball bearings exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a wide distribution across many markets. China accounted for 16.4% of export value, the United States for 8.2%, and Italy for 7.9%, together making up only 32.5% of total flows. The remaining 67.5% went to a diverse range of other partners.

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

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

Imports ball bearings to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of ball bearings declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume was 98.7 thousand tonnes, a sharp 17.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 29.4%, with an average annual decline of 10.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 146.8 thousand tonnes, which saw a 5.0% increase, while the largest drop of 18.7% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany sourced ball bearings from a broad set of markets. The top three suppliers—China with 25.1% of import volume, Italy with 15.1%, and Slovakia with 9.3%—together represented only 49.4% of total imports. The other 50.6% came from many smaller destinations.

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, M $ US

Germany's ball bearings imports fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value was approximately 1 493 million US dollars, a significant 18.7% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 22.1%, with an average annual decline of 8.0%. The highest value was in 2018 at 2 152 million US dollars, when imports increased by 12.3%.

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

The country composition of Germany's ball bearings imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was highly dispersed. China accounted for 16.0% of import value, Austria for 13.6%, and Italy for 11.5%, together forming just 41.1% of total flows. The remaining 58.9% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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