Hydraulic market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the German hydraulic equipment market remained stable, with volumes hovering around 540 thousand tonnes. Despite supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, demand was supported by global growth in the construction industry and infrastructure investments, alongside the launch of new products with advanced hydraulic systems by equipment manufacturers.

The market surged in 2021, reaching 677.7 thousand tonnes, a 25% increase from the previous year. This jump was driven by rising demand for advanced material handling equipment and smart hydraulic systems in industrial automation. Growth continued into 2022, with volume peaking at 709.2 thousand tonnes, supported by the expansion of local production capacity, including Liebherr-Components' new factory in Oberopfingen and Danfoss Sensing Solutions' expanded thin-film pressure sensor production in Minden, alongside a regulatory focus on sustainability that encouraged the adoption of biodegradable hydraulic fluids.

Following the 2022 peak, market volume contracted to 600.5 thousand tonnes in 2023 and further to 491.5 thousand tonnes in 2024, representing a cumulative decline of 30% over two years.

Production hydraulic in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Germany, the output value of hydraulic products reached 42 409 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 3.9% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 0.2%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 6.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 566.3 thousand tonnes of hydraulic products, representing a 2.7% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The largest decline was observed in 2019 at 1.3%, and the largest increase took place in 2018 with a growth of 4.1%.

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

Exports hydraulic from Germany

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Germany's cross-border shipments of hydraulic products totaled 28 044 tonnes, showing a 5.5% gain compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 53.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 15.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 3.7%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2018 with a remarkable 51.5% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the three main markets for Germany's hydraulic exports in kind were the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, which together accounted for 68.1% of total exports.

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, K $ US

Germany exported hydraulic products worth 3 128 thousand US dollars in 2020, up by 5.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 34.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.5%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 2.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 30.9% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium were key buyers of hydraulic products from Germany in value terms, with shares of 22.1%, 13.9%, and 13.2% respectively. However, their combined share reached only 49.2% of total exports, leaving the remaining 50.8% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports hydraulic to Germany

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2020, Germany imported 2 133 tonnes of hydraulic products, reflecting a 21.8% year-on-year drop. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 784 tonnes, while the lowest occurred in 2017, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.3 times. The largest decline was in 2019 at 28.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a substantial 130.7% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, Italy, and Austria remained the primary sources for Germany's hydraulic imports in kind, with shares of 41.3%, 37.9%, and 17.8% respectively. Together, they accounted for 97.0% of total import flows.

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, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, Germany's hydraulic imports from abroad amounted to 408 thousand US dollars, marking a slight rise of 1.8% over the previous year. Import levels fluctuated 1.7 times between the high of 2018 at 570 thousand US dollars and the low of 2017. The largest decline was in 2019 at 29.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 70.4% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Italy clearly dominated Germany's hydraulic imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 80.0% of total flows, while other countries held much smaller shares.

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

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