Benzoic acid, its salts and esters market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for benzoic acid, its salts and esters in Germany contracted from 2018 to 2020, with the market size falling from 46 141 thousand US dollars to 41 538 thousand US dollars.

A sharp turnaround occurred in 2021, as the market expanded to 52 851 thousand US dollars and continued growing to 55 361 thousand US dollars in 2022. This recovery was driven by rising demand for sodium and potassium benzoate, particularly from the food and beverage sector, where stricter state regulations and an increasing number of small-scale industry players boosted consumption. The substitution of phthalate plasticizers with non-phthalate alternatives in Europe also opened new application areas for benzoic acid derivatives.

After a dip to 50 541 thousand US dollars in 2023, the market regained momentum in 2024, reaching 52 318 thousand US dollars. Major chemical companies, including Merck KGaA, responded to sustained demand from food and pharmaceutical industries by expanding production capacity, with a reported increase of 50 000 tonnes. New cost drivers such as supply chain transparency laws and circular economy regulations further shaped market conditions during this period.

Production benzoic acid, its salts and esters in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Germany's production of benzoic acid, its salts and esters declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 17 940 thousand US dollars, down 23.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 27.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 10.0%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 26 057 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 5.8% also occurring that year.

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

Exports benzoic acid, its salts and esters from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's exports of benzoic acid, its salts and esters fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 7 330 tonnes, a sharp decline of 43.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 48.2%, averaging an annual decrease of 19.7%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 14 970 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 5.8% also recorded that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Luxembourg, Russia, and Serbia were the key destinations for Germany's exports of benzoic acid, its salts and esters in volume terms. Luxembourg accounted for 20.4% of exports, Russia for 19.9%, and Serbia for 10.0%. Together, these three countries made up 50.3% of total export 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, K $ US

Germany's exports of benzoic acid, its salts and esters in value terms declined for the second year running. In 2020, exports amounted to 20 541 thousand US dollars, a significant drop of 29.6% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 25.6%, with an average annual decline of 9.4%. The highest export value was in 2018 at 31 043 thousand US dollars, and the largest year-on-year increase of 12.4% also occurred that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the distribution of Germany's exports in value terms was quite dispersed. Russia led with 15.4% of exports, followed by Luxembourg at 12.4% and Serbia at 6.2%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 34.0% of total export flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports benzoic acid, its salts and esters to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of benzoic acid, its salts and esters totaled 26 557 tonnes in 2020, down 13.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 13.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.6%. The largest year-on-year increase was a modest 0.4% in 2019.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany's imports in volume terms were heavily concentrated on the Netherlands, which accounted for 70.6% of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder of imports.

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 imports of benzoic acid, its salts and esters in value terms fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 44 138 thousand US dollars, a notable decrease of 12.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports declined by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The peak import value was in 2018 at 51 127 thousand US dollars, and the largest year-on-year increase of 9.5% also occurred that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, China, and Estonia were the main sources for Germany's imports of benzoic acid, its salts and esters in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 61.4% of imports, China for 8.3%, and Estonia for 5.8%. Together, these three countries represented 75.4% of total import flows.

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

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