Machinery for making or repairing footwear other than sewing machines market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Production of footwear machinery in Germany declined from 27 351 thousand USD in 2018 to 20 267 thousand USD in 2020. This contraction aligned with the long-term shift of shoe manufacturing abroad, particularly to Southeast Asia, which reduced domestic demand for production equipment. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated structural changes in the shoe trade, depressing investment in machinery for stationary retail and repair.

A modest production recovery to 21 264 thousand USD occurred in 2021. Exports, after dropping to 13 308 thousand USD in 2020, began a sustained recovery from 2022 onward, reaching 18 211 thousand USD in 2024. This rebound was fueled by post-pandemic catch-up effects in the global shoe industry and a growing market for repair services driven by environmental initiatives. Meanwhile, imports fell steadily from 8 881 thousand USD in 2018 to 3 057 thousand USD in 2024, reflecting weakened domestic consumption under pressure from inflation and consumer restraint.

By 2024, the market was shaped by new EU machinery and packaging regulations announced that year, which expanded safety, digital and sustainability requirements. Simultaneously, German machinery production fell by almost 8%, leading to increased demand for used equipment due to economic uncertainty. IT innovations and automation in the shoe industry also promoted cost savings and efficiency gains.

Production footwear making and repair machinery in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Germany's production of machinery for making or repairing footwear (excluding sewing machines) declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 20 267 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 19.3% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.4%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 27 351 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.3%.

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

Exports footwear making and repair machinery from Germany

Exports in kind, unit

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a {ampRatio}-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Germany exported 1 895 units of machinery for making or repairing footwear (excluding sewing machines), representing a sharp 98.7% decrease year-over-year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in kind remained fragmented. France accounted for 18.7% of exports, the United States for 7.8%, and China for 7.5%, together making up only 34.0% of total flows, with no single country holding 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, K $ US

Germany's exports of machinery for making or repairing footwear (excluding sewing machines) in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 13 308 thousand US dollars, a 21.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 27.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.0%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 22 103 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 21.1%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 23.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports in value terms of machinery for making or repairing footwear (excluding sewing machines) from Germany were not heavily concentrated. France represented 15.7% of exports, the United States 9.3%, and China 8.0%, together capturing only 33.0% 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 footwear making and repair machinery to Germany

Imports in kind, unit

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. The lowest import volume occurred in 2020, while the highest was noted in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of {ampRatio} times. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 65 228 units, which also saw the largest annual increase of 18,305.8%. Data for the latest year was unavailable.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's imports of machinery for making or repairing footwear (excluding sewing machines) were valued at 5 309 thousand US dollars, up by 0.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 25.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.3%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 5 264 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 40.7%. The highest import value was in 2018 at 8 881 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 24.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, the Netherlands, and Romania formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms. Italy accounted for 62.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 16.1%, and Romania for 6.5%, together representing 84.9% 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