Disinfectants market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the German disinfectants market grew from $547 million to $944 million. This expansion was initially supported by increasing consumer focus on hygiene and health awareness, then sharply accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered unprecedented demand for disinfectants in 2020.

After the peak in 2020, the market corrected to $642 million in 2021, with about 6.87 million people in Germany still using disinfectants daily, indicating sustained hygiene habits. The market size settled at $601 million in 2022 and further evolution was driven by product innovations from major players, such as the launch of an air disinfectant spray by Reckitt Benckiser in June 2023 and the introduction of 100% plastic‑free disinfectant wipes by B. Braun Melsungen AG in 2024, alongside the growing role of e‑commerce as a distribution channel.

Production disinfectants in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of disinfectants has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output value reached 1 103 million US dollars, marking a significant increase of 54.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 76.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

The market showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, production hit its lowest point at 64.2 thousand tonnes, with a decline of 1.6%. By 2020, output had surged to 117.7 thousand tonnes, up 73.4% from the previous year. Overall, production levels varied by a factor of 1.8 between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

Exports disinfectants from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of disinfectants have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports were at their minimum of 126.9 thousand tonnes, falling by 1.1%. By 2020, exports had grown to 190.1 thousand tonnes, a 39.7% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by 48.1%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 14.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's exports of disinfectants in volume terms were distributed among a diverse range of partner countries. Belgium accounted for 11.3% of exports, France for 10.3%, and Austria for 9.2%, with these three countries together making up just 30.7% 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

Germany's exports of disinfectants in value terms have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 662.9 million US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 66.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 89.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 23.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria was the largest buyer of disinfectants from Germany in value terms, accounting for 10.7% of exports, followed by Poland at 10.2% and Belgium at 8.8%. Together, these three countries represented 29.7% of total export value, while a wide array of smaller partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports disinfectants to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of disinfectants in volume terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 125.9 thousand tonnes, which is 59.2% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 76.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium was the leading supplier of disinfectants to Germany in volume terms, with a 29.2% share of imports. The Netherlands followed at 15.1%, and Poland at 11.3%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 55.6% of total import volume.

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 imports of disinfectants in value terms have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 503.6 million US dollars, more than doubling with a 102.6% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 137.3%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 33.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany's imports of disinfectants in value terms were spread across numerous markets. Belgium held the largest share at 26.4%, followed by the Netherlands at 12.0% and France at 10.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 48.7% of total import flows, with the rest coming from a broad range of other partners.

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

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