Copper bars, rods and profiles market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for copper bars, rods and profiles in Germany contracted from 180.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 136.8 thousand tons in 2020. This period coincided with stable global copper mine production, which reportedly grew in 2018 and remained steady in 2019 according to ICSG forecasts. A sharp recovery to 174.9 thousand tons occurred in 2021, but the market volume then resumed its downward trend through 2024.

By 2023, technological innovations emerged, including high-conductivity alloys and lightweight aluminum-copper composite wires developed by a Swiss-German consortium. In 2024, the German copper industry reported a production decline, influenced by output cuts from major global producers like Anglo American and the environmental shutdown of First Quantum Minerals' Cobre Panamá mine. Anticipated U.S. tariffs on copper from 2025 spurred arbitrage trading and imports, while Chinese economic stimulus programs bolstered global demand for copper-intensive infrastructure.

Despite these developments, the German market volume continued to decline, reaching 132.4 thousand tons in 2024, a 2.7% decrease from the previous year.

Production copper bars, rods and profiles in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of copper bars, rods, and profiles declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 932 million US dollars, representing a controlled contraction of 5.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 164 million US dollars, which marked the largest increase of 15.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 15.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production of copper bars, rods, and profiles declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 231.9 thousand tonnes were produced, reflecting a gradual contraction of 8.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 14.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.2%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 278.4 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 2.4%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 9.2%.

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

Exports copper bars, rods and profiles from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of copper bars, rods, and profiles from Germany declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 157.2 thousand tonnes, representing a slight drop of 2.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.4%, with an average annual decline of 1.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 167.0 thousand tonnes, which marked the largest increase of 2.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of copper bars, rods, and profiles from Germany were not heavily concentrated. Italy accounted for 20.4% of exports in kind, France for 10.4%, and the United Kingdom for 7.9%. Together, these three countries captured only 38.7% 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, M $ US

Exports of copper bars, rods, and profiles from Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 970 million US dollars worth of these products, indicating a reduction of 8.4% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 6.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 154 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. Italy accounted for 18.9% of exports in value terms, France for 10.6%, and the United Kingdom for 7.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 37.1% of total flows, while the remaining 62.9% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports copper bars, rods and profiles to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of copper bars, rods, and profiles into Germany declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Germany imported approximately 62.2 thousand tonnes, down by 3.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 69.1 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 0.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the portfolio of suppliers for copper bars, rods, and profiles to Germany was broad. Italy accounted for 21.3% of imports in kind, the Netherlands for 12.9%, and Poland for 11.4%. Together, these three countries contributed only 45.5% of total imports in kind, while many other countries had smaller but non-negligible shares.

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

Imports of copper bars, rods, and profiles into Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany imported 378 million US dollars worth of these products, marking a reduction of 8.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 13.5%, with an average annual decline of 4.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 481 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 9.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 13.9%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of copper bars, rods, and profiles to Germany were allocated across a large number of markets. Italy accounted for 17.6% of imports in value terms, Austria for 10.6%, and Poland for 10.0%. Together, these three countries jointly accounted for only 38.3% 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