Cotton bed linen market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The cotton bed linen market in Germany contracted from 2018 to 2020, with volume falling from 46.7 thousand t to 38.1 thousand t. This decline was driven by a shift in consumer purchasing behavior and evolving market dynamics, accelerated by the growing influence of digitalization which changed retail channels. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted stationary retail and affected demand across commercial sectors like hospitality.

Market volume rebounded to 45.8 thousand t in 2021 and reached 46.7 thousand t in 2022 following the lifting of lockdowns. The absence of restrictions in 2021 strengthened brick-and-mortar trade, while catch-up effects in commercial investments, particularly in hotels and restaurants, stimulated demand for bed linen.

After this recovery, the market volume dropped sharply to 34.4 thousand t in 2023. A modest increase to 35.7 thousand t followed in 2024, a period marked by volatility in raw material prices, especially for cotton, which influenced production costs.

Production cotton bed linen in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's cotton bed linen production value increased after two consecutive years of decline. In 2020, output reached 76.3 million US dollars, marking a slight 1.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 54.5%, with an average annual decline of 23.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 75.5 million US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 44.7% decrease.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Germany's cotton bed linen production volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany produced 9 033 tonnes, representing a 13.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 49.7%, with an average annual decline of 20.5%.

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

Exports cotton bed linen from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's cotton bed linen export volumes increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 39 617 tonnes, showing a modest 4.0% year-over-year growth. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 47.3%, equating to an average annual increase of 13.8%.

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

Germany's export market for cotton bed linen in volume terms was highly diversified between 2017 and 2020. France (15.5% of exports), the Netherlands (14.2%), and Poland (10.6%) together accounted for just 40.3% of total flows, while the remaining 59.7% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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 cotton bed linen export value declined after two years of growth. In 2020, exports reached 377.4 million US dollars, representing a 2.0% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 30.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 385.1 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with 23.2% growth.

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

Germany's export structure in value terms between 2017 and 2020 shows a diversified set of trading partners. France (12.3% of exports), the Netherlands (12.3%), and Austria (11.1%) together accounted for only 35.7% of total flows, while the remaining 64.3% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports cotton bed linen to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's cotton bed linen import volumes declined after two years of growth. In 2020, imports reached 68 640 tonnes, marking a slight 0.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 69 139 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with 6.2% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Pakistan (36.8% of imports), Turkey (20.1%), and Poland (12.0%) consistently remained Germany's main sources for cotton bed linen imports in volume terms, together accounting for 68.8% 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 imported cotton bed linen worth 1.1% more in 2020 compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 6.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with 5.1% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Pakistan (31.6% of imports), Turkey (21.9%), and Poland (11.5%) formed the main group of sources for Germany's cotton bed linen imports in value terms, together accounting for 65.0% 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