Caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German caravan and semi‑trailer market entered 2018 with dynamic growth, fueled by rising consumer interest in flexible, individual travel options and reported strong demand from manufacturers and dealers. This momentum carried into 2019, when the market volume stood at 29,947 units. A contraction followed in 2020, bringing the market to 24,513 units, before a partial recovery to 28,642 units in 2021.

The market expanded to 31,935 units in 2022 as the COVID‑19 pandemic boosted demand for caravans as a form of contact‑safe travel, prompting manufacturers to ramp up production despite reported chassis shortages. However, by 2023, high inventory levels led to extended factory holidays and throttled output, pulling the market down to 27,377 units. The decline continued into 2024, with volume dropping to 20,923 units, driven by a sustained inventory overhang and a clear shift in consumer preference toward motorhomes over caravans.

Production caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping was valued at 842.0 million US dollars, marking a 9.3% decrease from the previous year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

Germany produced 42,370 units of caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping in 2020, representing a significant decline of 14.5% compared to 2019.

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

Exports caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping from Germany

Exports in kind, unit

Germany's exports of caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 21,011 units, down 8.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 25,433 units. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Norway were the main buyers of caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping from Germany, accounting for 23.6%, 20.4%, and 6.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 50.8% of total exports in kind.

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 export value of caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 450.3 million US dollars, a 3.6% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 541.9 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 13.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 11.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, France, the Netherlands, and Norway consistently led in Germany's export structure by value, accounting for 24.4%, 20.2%, and 7.5% of exports, respectively. Combined, these three countries made up 52.1% of total export 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 caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping to Germany

Imports in kind, unit

Germany's imports of caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3,487 units, reflecting a moderate decrease of 5.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 22.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 3,487 units, which also saw the largest increase at 35.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, France, and Austria were the primary sources for Germany's imports of caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping in kind, collectively accounting for 78.9% of total 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, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's import value of caravan trailers and semi-trailers for housing or camping reached 54.7 million US dollars, a substantial increase of 36.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 71.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Slovenia and France dominated Germany's import structure by value, together accounting for 80.2% of total flows, while other markets contributed to a long tail.

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

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