Ballasts for discharge lamps and tubes market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for ballasts experienced a substantial contraction from 2018 to 2022, with market volume declining from 5 894 thousand units to 1 875 thousand units. Over the same period, domestic production fell from 6 993 thousand units to 1 755 thousand units, reflecting a broad-based downturn across production, imports, and exports.

This market decline was driven by the accelerating shift toward LED lighting, which reduces the need for traditional ballasts used in discharge lamps. The transition was reinforced by the industry-wide move to more energy-efficient electronic ballasts, a trend supported by regulatory energy efficiency requirements. Major lighting companies such as OSRAM and Philips introduced innovative electronic and smart ballasts, responding to the growing integration of intelligent lighting systems and changing consumer preferences.

By 2024, falling import and export volumes indicated a continued market adjustment. The ongoing replacement of magnetic ballasts with electronic versions, coupled with the broader adoption of LED technology, fundamentally reshaped the market landscape throughout the period from 2018 onward.

Production ballasts for discharge lamps and tubes in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the production value of ballasts for discharge lamps and tubes reached 127.1 million US dollars in 2020, marking a modest decline of 6.3% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 132.9 million US dollars, while the lowest was in 2019 at 124.5 million US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 6.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

In 2020, Germany produced 4,474 thousand units of ballasts for discharge lamps and tubes, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 36%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 13.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Exports ballasts for discharge lamps and tubes from Germany

Exports in kind, K unit

Exports of ballasts for discharge lamps and tubes from Germany declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the export volume stood at 9,476 thousand units, down 13.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 55.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 23.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Between 2017 and 2020, the country composition of exports in kind was highly dispersed. Spain accounted for 18.1% of exports, France for 10.0%, and Saudi Arabia for 5.5%, together making up just 33.6% of total flows. The remaining 66.4% was distributed among a wide range of other 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, M $ US

Export shipments of ballasts for discharge lamps and tubes from Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 112.3 million US dollars, an 18.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 43.2%, with an annualized rate of 17.2%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. France held 11.3% of exports, Spain 10.0%, and the United States 7.9%, together accounting for just 29.3% of total flows. No single country dominated the market during this period.

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

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

Imports ballasts for discharge lamps and tubes to Germany

Imports in kind, K unit

After two years of decline, Germany's imports of ballasts for discharge lamps and tubes increased in 2020. The import volume reached 9,366 thousand units, a moderate uptick of 3.6% compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 47.4%, with an annualized rate of 19.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 9,041 thousand units, and the largest decline occurred that same year, at 34.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, China, Romania, and Serbia were the leading sources in Germany's import structure in kind. China accounted for 36.1% of imports, Romania for 19.7%, and Serbia for 8.4%, together representing 64.2% 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, M $ US

Following two years of losses, imports of ballasts for discharge lamps and tubes into Germany increased in 2020. The total import value was 80.5 million US dollars, up 19.5% from the previous year. Despite this rise, imports decreased by 28.2% over the 2017-2020 period, with an annualized rate of 10.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 67.4 million US dollars, and the largest decline also occurred in 2019, at 27.2%.

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

The market base for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad. China accounted for 23.6% of imports, Italy for 12.9%, and Romania for 11.0%, together making up 47.6% of total flows. The remaining 52.4% was shared among numerous other countries.

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

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