For retail sale medicaments with vitamins market in Germany, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the market was supported by growing sales of dietary supplements, including a 10.5% increase in pharmacy channel sales. The introduction of the new Packaging Act (VerpackG) in 2019, which for the first time included pharmaceutical packaging, may have contributed to a temporary market contraction. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 boosted consumption of vitamin D preparations, further aided by expanded prescription eligibility, leading to market recovery. Demand for vitamin C and magnesium supplements continued to rise in 2021. However, 2022 saw a slight decline in supplement sales, which pulled down the overall market size.

A sharp market expansion occurred in 2023, fueled by a 4.9% revenue growth in the pharmacy segment and the emergence of products with energy-functionality claims. By 2024, the over-the-counter medicaments market, including vitamin products, reached substantial scale, while updated BfR proposals for maximum vitamin and mineral levels set the stage for future regulatory adjustments. The adoption of the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) also began shaping product compliance requirements.

Production for retail sale medicaments with vitamins in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the production value of retail vitamin medications reached 4 117 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 4.2% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 19.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.0%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 4 163 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 20.4% occurring that same year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline, with production dropping by 5.1%.

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

Exports for retail sale medicaments with vitamins from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Germany's exports of retail vitamin medications declined in 2020. The export volume totaled 45 155 tonnes, representing a 3.5% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 46 796 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's export partner portfolio for retail vitamin medications was quite diverse. Brazil accounted for 13.7% of exports in kind, China for 13.0%, and France for 11.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 38.6% of total export flows, indicating a broad distribution among other partners.

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 export value of retail vitamin medications declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 589.3 million US dollars, which was a 1.1% drop from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 13.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market base for Germany's exports of retail vitamin medications in value terms was wide. Switzerland contributed 10.3% of export value, Russia 8.7%, and France 4.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for just 23.8% of total flows, with the remaining 76.2% shared among numerous other nations.

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

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

Imports for retail sale medicaments with vitamins to Germany

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Germany's imports of retail vitamin medications increased in 2020. The import volume was 3 543 tonnes, up by 11.9% compared to the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 5.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 167 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 18.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Poland, and Austria remained the top suppliers of retail vitamin medications to Germany. France accounted for 26.3% of imports in kind, Poland for 12.6%, and Austria for 11.4%. Together, these three countries made up 50.3% of total 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

In 2020, Germany's import value of retail vitamin medications was 140.1 million US dollars, showing a 6.4% improvement from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.1%, with an average annual decline of 0.7%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 131.8 million US dollars, which saw the largest annual decline of 15.6%. In contrast, the highest import value was in 2018 at 156.2 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 9.1% occurring that year.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Germany's imports of retail vitamin medications in value terms was highly diversified. France accounted for 16.1% of import value, Poland for 13.1%, and Austria for 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 41.3% of total flows, while the remaining 58.7% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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