Balls, needles and rollers for ball or roller bearings market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for balls, needles and rollers for ball or roller bearings opened the period at 57,152 t in 2018, supported by innovations in material science that improved bearing durability and performance. This was followed by a contraction in 2019 and a further drop to 46,214 t in 2020.

A recovery to 52,887 t occurred in 2021, influenced by rapid global growth in the bearings sector and strategic industry movements, such as The Timken Company's acquisition of GGB Bearing Technology in France. Major player Schaeffler also focused on energy-efficient solutions for sustainable mobility during this time. The market volume then declined again in 2022, a year in which Schaeffler introduced new bearing products specifically engineered for electric vehicles, reflecting a strategic shift in the automotive segment.

The downward trend continued through 2023 and 2024, with the market reaching 37,813 t, as the global bearings environment entered a mature phase characterized by stable production and consumption levels.

Production balls, needles and rollers for ball or roller bearings in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of balls, needles, and rollers for ball or roller bearings declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 410.9 million US dollars, marking a 3.6% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 483.2 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 12.2%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 11.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Production of balls, needles, and rollers for ball or roller bearings in Germany decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany produced 43 349 tonnes, showing a sharp contraction of 12.2% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, production declined by 12.6%, equating to an average annual rate of 4.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 51 165 tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 3.2%.

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

Exports balls, needles and rollers for ball or roller bearings from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's exports of balls, needles, and rollers for ball or roller bearings fell for the second year running. In 2020, Germany exported 26 926 tonnes, reflecting a solid decline of 11.9% over the past year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 13.5%, with an average annual drop of 4.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 31 447 tonnes, when exports saw their largest increase of 1.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia, China, and Romania were the core destinations for Germany's exports in kind of balls, needles, and rollers for ball or roller bearings. Slovakia accounted for 32.8% of exports, China for 13.3%, and Romania for 8.6%, together making up 54.8% of total flows.

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 cross-border shipments of balls, needles, and rollers for ball or roller bearings declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 258.4 million US dollars, indicating a moderate year-over-year decline of 6.4%. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The peak value was in 2018 at 300.3 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 10.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 8.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia, China, and the United States consistently led Germany's export structure in value terms for balls, needles, and rollers for ball or roller bearings. Slovakia represented 25.8% of exports, China 16.4%, and the United States 8.1%, jointly accounting for 50.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports balls, needles and rollers for ball or roller bearings to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of balls, needles, and rollers for ball or roller bearings dropped for the second year in a row. In 2020, Germany imported 29 791 tonnes, reflecting a solid decline of 13.7% compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.9%, with an average annual rate of -6.8%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 37 434 tonnes, when imports saw their largest increase of 1.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Spain, Italy, and China formed the main group of sources for Germany's imports in kind of balls, needles, and rollers for ball or roller bearings. Spain contributed 24.1% of imports, Italy 19.5%, and China 16.3%, together making up 59.9% 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

Germany's imports of balls, needles, and rollers for ball or roller bearings declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 171.6 million US dollars, which is 9.8% lower year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 12.4%, with an average annual decline of 4.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 217.3 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 10.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 12.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain, Italy, and Slovakia remained the key directions for Germany's imports in value terms of balls, needles, and rollers for ball or roller bearings. Spain accounted for 29.2% of imports, Italy for 12.9%, and Slovakia for 11.8%, together taking 53.9% of total flows.

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

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