Copper wire market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The copper wire market in Germany experienced significant volume changes between 2018 and 2024. After starting at 493 thousand tons in 2018, the market volume contracted to 375.3 thousand tons by 2020, later recovering to 410.5 thousand tons in 2024. The initially high volume in 2018 was supported by stable global copper mine production, which grew by 2.5%, and sustained long-term demand from worldwide infrastructure and renewable energy projects.

By 2024, the market recovery was driven by persistent structural growth factors, particularly electromobility and the expansion of renewable energy, which continued to stimulate copper demand. Furthermore, production cuts at Chinese copper smelters led to short-term increases in demand and price peaks, contributing to the rise in market volume.

Production copper wire in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Copper wire production in Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2 120 million US dollars, marking a slight contraction of 2.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 11.5%, which equates to an annualized rate of 4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 542 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 6.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 14.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After a two-year decline, copper wire production in Germany increased. In 2020, 671.4 thousand tonnes of copper wire were produced, representing a small uptick of 2.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 11%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 657.9 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 11.6%.

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

Exports copper wire from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany exported 376.9 thousand tonnes of copper wire in 2020, indicating a gain of 15.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 326.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 10.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Italy accounted for 15.3% of exports in kind, Poland for 14.0%, and Austria for 11.2%. Together, these three countries represented 40.5% of total flows, while many other countries accounted for the remaining 59.5%.

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 exported 2 511 million US dollars worth of copper wire in 2020, up by 15.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 166 million US dollars, while the maximum value was in 2018 at 2 624 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 17.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Italy accounted for 14.9% of exports in value terms, Poland for 13.5%, and Austria for 10.8%. Together, these three countries represented 39.1% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 60.9%.

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 wire to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's copper wire import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 80.8 thousand tonnes, reflecting a loss of 13.0% from 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 19.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 111.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 11.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 16.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Poland accounted for 25.7% of imports in kind, Sweden for 25.3%, and Belgium for 14.8%. These three countries formed the core group of markets for imports in kind, together representing 65.9% 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

Foreign copper wire supplies to Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume came to 535 million US dollars, down by 12.3% compared with 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 768 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 21.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 20.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden accounted for 24.5% of imports in value terms, Poland for 23.8%, and Belgium for 13.7%. These three countries continued to be the main suppliers of copper wire to Germany, jointly forming 62.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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