For retail sale medicaments with vitamins market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for retail sale medicaments with vitamins in Austria expanded significantly, with its value rising from 126.9 million USD to 169.3 million USD. This growth was supported by the introduction of an electronic reporting system for supply restrictions in 2018, which increased transparency around shortages and helped stabilize product availability. A key regulatory change in 2020, an amendment to §24 of the Medicines Act (AMG), allowed for the reclassification of the prescription status for registered vitamin-containing medicaments, making them more accessible to consumers and contributing to the market's increase.

Subsequent years saw further regulatory and policy developments aimed at securing supply and access. In 2021, authorities rolled out an e-services portal for stockpiling and shortage reporting of human medicinal products, while also expanding the monitoring of critical active substances. The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were reflected in 2022 through a rising number of reported supply chain disruptions. Preparations for a major healthcare reform, effective from January 2024, began in 2023, including provisions to allow care facility pharmacies direct access to medicines, including vitamin products, and a parliamentary bill to reimburse costs for stocking critical drugs.

Entering 2024, new obligations were set for the stockpiling of critical medicines from April 2025, directly influencing production and market access planning. Simultaneously, a near 50% increase in the fee for magistral preparations strengthened pharmacy viability, and the national list of critical medicines was expanded. New EU labeling requirements for dangerous substances also became relevant for certain high-dose formulations. Despite broader price pressures, industry analysis indicated stable consumer demand for over-the-counter vitamin and mineral medicaments, spurring activity in new product segments like premium capsules.

Production for retail sale medicaments with vitamins in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Austria's production of retail sale medicaments with vitamins grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 173.2 million US dollars, marking a gradual 3.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 47.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.9%.

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

Exports for retail sale medicaments with vitamins from Austria

Exports in kind, t

Austria's cross-border shipments of retail sale medicaments with vitamins declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2,206 tonnes, showing a significant year-on-year decrease of 17.3%. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 31.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Spain, and France were key buyers of Austria's retail sale medicaments with vitamins, accounting for 25.0%, 10.8%, and 9.1% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 44.9% of total exports, with the remaining 55.1% distributed among numerous other partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, Austria's exports of retail sale medicaments with vitamins in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 92.3 million US dollars, which is 19.4% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 7.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 114.6 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 25.0%.

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

The structure of Austria's exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of partners. Germany, Poland, and Russia accounted for 25.9%, 7.6%, and 7.2% of exports, respectively, but together represented only 40.7% of total flows. The remaining 59.3% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports for retail sale medicaments with vitamins to Austria

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, Austria's imports of retail sale medicaments with vitamins in kind declined. In 2020, imports totaled 2,308 tonnes, showing a solid year-on-year decrease of 24.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 17%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 3,054 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of Austria's imports in kind was characterized by a strong dominance of Germany, which held a 70.9% share of total flows. Other partners accounted for relatively minor shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year increase, Austria's imports of retail sale medicaments with vitamins in value terms declined. In 2020, imports reached 88.4 million US dollars, representing a 15.7% fall compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 23.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 104.8 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 39.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three principal markets—Germany, the United Kingdom, and Norway—together accounted for 73.7% of Austria's total imports in value terms of retail sale medicaments with vitamins.

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

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