Data storage units market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German data storage units market saw initial growth, with volume peaking at 18.3 thousand units in 2019. This expansion was supported by rising data management demands stemming from increased mobility, new regulations, and the adoption of machine learning, which collectively heightened the need for advanced storage systems. Concurrently, a shortage of IT security professionals across Europe amplified interest in automated and managed storage solutions.

After 2019, market volume entered a sustained decline, plummeting sharply to 8.8 thousand units by 2022. This contraction aligned with heightened market pressures, including cyberattacks, severe resource and personnel shortages, and intense cost constraints, which drove structural adjustments such as a renewed focus on tape storage and local storage systems. A partial recovery to 9.98 thousand units occurred in 2023.

In 2024, the market volume decreased further to 8.1 thousand units. During this period, the European Union announced major digitalization investment plans aimed at significantly increasing the number of ICT specialists, underscoring the strategic long-term importance of the data storage sector in Germany.

Production data storage units in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's data storage unit production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 88.2 million US dollars, marking a 40.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Production fell by 37.7% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized decline of 14.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 162.6 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 14.8% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

In 2020, Germany produced 819,000 units of data storage devices, representing a significant 13.4% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 722,000 units, while the highest was in 2018 with 1,252,000 units. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 at 42.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 47.8%.

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

Exports data storage units from Germany

Exports in kind, K unit

Following two years of growth, Germany's data storage unit exports declined in 2020. The country exported 28,190,000 units that year, representing a 6.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 30,113,000 units, which also saw the largest increase of 10.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia, Poland, and the Netherlands were Germany's largest buyers of data storage units, accounting for 13.9%, 11.0%, and 9.9% of exports in kind respectively. However, their combined share represented just 34.8% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure with no single dominant market.

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 contraction, Germany's data storage unit exports increased in 2020. Export value reached 2,498 million US dollars that year, up 7.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2,322 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.1%.

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

Germany's export structure in value terms remained diversified between 2017 and 2020. Czechia accounted for 19.0% of exports in value terms, Poland for 11.9%, and the Netherlands for 9.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 40.8% of total export flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports data storage units to Germany

Imports in kind, K unit

Following two years of growth, Germany's data storage unit imports declined in 2020. Import volume reached 44,303,000 units that year, marking a 7.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 47,669,000 units, which also saw the largest increase of 10.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—China, Thailand, and the Philippines—together accounted for 56.6% of Germany's total data storage unit imports in kind.

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's data storage unit imports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country imported 4,498 million US dollars worth of data storage units that year, representing a 1.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated Germany's data storage unit imports in value terms. China accounted for 24.6% of imports, Thailand for 13.3%, and South Korea for 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 49.0% of total import value, while numerous smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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