Lathes for removing metal market in Germany, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the German mechanical engineering sector, which includes lathe production, grew by 4.3%, outperforming global growth. The industry's high export orientation was evident with a 79% export quota. This robust foundation was followed by a sector-wide turnover of 272 billion euros in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to insolvencies and severe strain across the metal and electrical industries, sharply contracting the market for metalworking lathes to a value of $628 million.

The market recovered in the following years. In 2021, Germany exported lathes and turning centers worth approximately 0.7 billion euros, and the physical market volume grew to 7 794 units. This expansion continued into 2022, with the market reaching 8 224 units, supported by the significant revenues reported by the country's major machine tool manufacturers, who continue to dominate the sector.

A turning point came in 2023. While the market value increased to $1.06 billion, the physical volume of the market halved to 4 090 units. This decline coincided with an 8% drop in order intake for machinery and plant engineering from January to September 2023. The contraction deepened in 2024, with the market falling to 3 453 units valued at $850 million. This was influenced by the implementation of new regulations like the EU Machinery Regulation and the EN ISO 23125 safety standard for lathes, alongside weaker demand in key export markets such as the USA and China.

Production metalworking lathes in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of metal-removing lathes was valued at 1,074 million US dollars, representing a significant 36.4% decrease compared to the previous year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

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

Exports metalworking lathes from Germany

Exports in kind, unit

In 2020, Germany exported 7,674 units of metal-removing lathes, marking a moderate 5.5% reduction from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 4.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 7,300 units, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 8,117 units. The largest year-on-year increase was observed in 2019, reaching 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for Germany's exports of metal-removing lathes in kind remained fragmented. Poland accounted for 9.4% of these exports, Turkey for 6.7%, and Italy for 6.3%, with these three countries together representing only 22.4% of total flows, and no single country achieving a dominant share.

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 metal-removing lathes in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 795 million US dollars, indicating a steep 29.0% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 24.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,311 million US dollars, and the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, reaching 24.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany's exports of metal-removing lathes in value terms were distributed across a wide range of markets. China accounted for 18.2% of these exports, the United States for 9.6%, and Poland for 6.8%, with these three countries together representing only 34.6% 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 metalworking lathes to Germany

Imports in kind, unit

In 2020, Germany imported 10,841 units of foreign metal-removing lathes, showing a 17.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 13,178 units, and the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, reaching 18.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the primary supplier of metal-removing lathes to Germany in kind, accounting for 52.6% of imports, followed by South Korea at 9.9% and Japan at 7.7%. Together, these three countries represented 70.2% 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

Germany's imports of metal-removing lathes in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 349 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 43.9% decrease from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 37.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -14.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 689 million US dollars, and the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, reaching 22.7%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Japan led the structure of Germany's imports of metal-removing lathes in value terms, accounting for 23.5%, followed by South Korea at 18.8% and Italy at 9.8%. Together, these three countries represented 52.1% of total flows.

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

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