Cylindrical roller bearings market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cylindrical roller bearings in Germany opened the period with a value of 343.2 million US dollars in 2018, supported by strong demand from the construction, mining, and manufacturing industries where these bearings are essential for heavy machinery operating under high speeds and loads. This established Germany as the highest-revenue rolling bearing market in Europe. However, the market value contracted significantly to 225.4 million US dollars by 2020.

A partial recovery to 327.3 million US dollars was observed in 2021, but the market value subsequently declined over the next two years. By 2023, the domestic drive technology industry, which includes bearing manufacturing, reported substantial turnover, while the broader market trend highlighted the integration of smart technologies for industrial digital transformation. The market value settled at 293.8 million US dollars that year.

In 2024, the market value fell sharply to 196.8 million US dollars. During this year, major innovator Schaeffler launched a new series of cylindrical roller bearings with significantly increased load capacity and service life for heavy industrial gearboxes and construction machinery. Concurrently, anticipated declines in construction activity and rising costs within the logistics sector contributed to pressure on demand in key application areas.

Production cylindrical roller bearings in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of cylindrical roller bearings declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 806.7 million US dollars, representing a significant 12.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 942.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.8%.

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

Exports cylindrical roller bearings from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany exported 33,891 tonnes of cylindrical roller bearings in 2020, showing a 6.7% reduction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 3.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 32,269 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 36,338 tonnes. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's cylindrical roller bearing exports were widely distributed across partner countries. China accounted for 26.9% of exports, the United States for 7.0%, and Belgium for 6.5%. Together, these three countries represented 40.4% 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

After two years of growth, Germany's cylindrical roller bearing exports declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 898.6 million US dollars, corresponding to a moderate 10.0% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.1%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 998.3 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 7.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany traded cylindrical roller bearings with numerous countries. Even the largest destinations—China, the United States, and Italy—together represented only 40.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cylindrical roller bearings to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Germany's imports of cylindrical roller bearings declined. In 2020, imports reached 16,691 tonnes, marking an 18.3% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 9.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 20,431 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 17.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Slovakia, and Japan stood out as the main sources for Germany's cylindrical roller bearing imports. Romania accounted for 33.5% of imports, Slovakia for 20.0%, and Japan for 7.8%. Together, these three countries represented 61.3% of total import 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

After two years of increase, Germany's cylindrical roller bearing imports declined. In 2020, imports totalled 317.3 million US dollars, amounting to a 21.0% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 401.6 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 18.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Romania, Slovakia, and Austria—together absorbed 55.5% of the total import value of cylindrical roller bearings to Germany.

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

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