Gas meters market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the German gas meter market began evolving within a changing gas supply landscape, initiated by the 'market area convergence' (marco) project aimed at consolidating Germany's gas network areas by 2022. This structural shift laid groundwork for infrastructure updates. By 2021, the physical market volume expanded significantly to 1.5 million units, largely propelled by the growing smart gas meter segment driven by regulatory requirements and modernization efforts in the commercial sector. In value terms, the market size peaked at $63.4 million in 2020 before receding to $51.6 million in 2021, coinciding with the onset of steep wholesale gas price increases due to high international commodity prices and geopolitical tensions.

The market faced profound external pressure in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which led to a complete halt of Russian pipeline gas deliveries from September. This triggered a severe energy crisis, characterized by sharp gas price surges for households and industry, increased by a rising CO2 levy. The resulting uncertainty and higher costs contributed to a contraction in the market's value, which fell to $39.0 million in 2022. Government relief measures, including a temporary VAT reduction on gas and a price brake mechanism, were introduced to cushion consumers. In 2023, household switching activity between gas suppliers reached record levels, indicating a dynamic retail market, while the overall market value saw a moderate recovery to $42.4 million.

By 2024, the physical market volume stood at 1.1 million units, remaining above pre-2021 levels, while the market value adjusted to $27.0 million. Throughout the period, Germany maintained its position as a leading European market for smart gas meters, where ongoing regulatory mandates and commercial sector modernization continued to underpin long-term demand, even as the market navigated the aftermath of the energy price shock.

Production gas meters in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's gas meter production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 178.6 million US dollars, showing a moderate decline of 4.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 22.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

In 2020, Germany produced 1,463 thousand units of gas meters, remaining stable compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 33.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.9%.

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

Exports gas meters from Germany

Exports in kind, K unit

Germany's cross-border shipments of gas meters declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 776 thousand units, representing a sharp decrease of 33.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 61.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 27.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Russia—together accounted for 53.5% of Germany's total gas meter exports in kind.

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 foreign gas meter supplies declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 132.0 million US dollars worth of gas meters, representing a strong reduction of 24.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 38.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's gas meter exports in value terms were spread across many countries. The United Kingdom (15.2% of exports in value terms), the Netherlands (11.8%), and China (10.8%) jointly accounted for only 37.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports gas meters to Germany

Imports in kind, K unit

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 115 thousand units, with the largest decline of 8.6% occurring that year. In 2019, imports saw the largest increase of 72.1%, and in 2020, Germany imported 253 thousand units, reflecting a rise of 28.0% compared to 2019. The period recorded a peak in 2020 and a trough in 2018, showing a 2.2-fold variation.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Poland consistently accounted for 72.4% of Germany's total gas meter imports in kind, indicating a high concentration on this market, while the rest was shared among other countries.

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 a two-year gain, Germany's gas meter imports declined. In 2019, imports reached a maximum value of 17.9 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 28.9% recorded that year. In 2020, Germany imported 16.8 million US dollars worth of gas meters, down by 5.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 35.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia (42.0% of imports in value terms), Poland (31.4%), and Italy (6.0%) continued to be the main suppliers of gas meters to Germany, jointly forming 79.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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