Optical fibre cables market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the German optical fibre cable market was influenced by contrasting forces. Initial market volume in 2018 was supported by growing demand for communication cables and technological advancements, including the emerging 5G rollout. However, physical market volume contracted significantly in 2019. The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations but also spurred a surge in demand for high-speed internet infrastructure due to remote work trends, which drove the market's value upward despite global supply chain constraints.

From 2021 to 2022, the market expanded robustly in both volume and value. This growth was fueled by corporate activity, such as Nexans SA's expansion of production capacity for fibre optic cables, and critically, by decisive national policy. The German government accelerated its own economic fibre rollout and enacted a Gigabit Strategy with clear targets, aiming for 50% fibre optic connections by 2025, which mobilized substantial investment in telecommunications infrastructure.

Market value continued its upward trajectory in 2023, supported by global investments in digital infrastructure and rising demand for cloud-based services. By 2024, however, the market value saw a correction, with physical volume stabilizing. Persistent industry challenges, including high installation costs and a shortage of skilled labor, acted as constraints on further expansion during this period.

Production optical fibre cables in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's optical fibre cable production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 112.7 million US dollars, marking an 18.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 8.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 176.0 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 43.5%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 21.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Germany produced 14,394 tonnes of optical fibre cables, showing a modest 6.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 46.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 15,319 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 56.0%. The most notable decline was in 2019, when production dropped by 6.0%.

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

Exports optical fibre cables from Germany

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Germany's optical fibre cable exports declined in volume. In 2020, the country exported 11,693 tonnes, down by 41.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 21.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 7.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 20,077 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 19.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's optical fibre cable exports in volume were quite dispersed across destinations. Indonesia accounted for 14.0% of exports, Italy for 9.1%, and France for 7.1%, together making up just 30.2% of total flows. The remaining 69.8% was distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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 optical fibre cable exports declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 273.6 million US dollars, down 21.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 14.2%, equating to an annualized decrease of 5.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 387.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 21.4%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany's optical fibre cable exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The United States accounted for 7.9% of exports, the United Kingdom for 5.5%, and France for 5.4%, together capturing only 18.7% 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 optical fibre cables to Germany

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Germany imported 14,895 tonnes of optical fibre cables, a slight increase of 1.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 15,892 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 25.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when imports dropped by 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China led as the top supplier of optical fibre cables to Germany in volume terms, accounting for 23.2% of imports. Poland followed with 16.5%, and Slovakia with 11.5%. Together, these three countries made up 51.3% 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 optical fibre cable imports totaled 328.2 million US dollars, indicating a slight gain of 1.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 17.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 353.3 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 26.3%. The most notable decline was in 2019, when imports fell by 8.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, China was a key supplier of optical fibre cables to Germany in value terms, accounting for 25.3% of imports. Poland contributed 14.6%, and the United States 6.6%. However, their combined share reached only 46.5% of total imports, with the remaining 53.5% distributed among many other trading partners.

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

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