Palm oil and fractions market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the German palm oil market volume grew from 812 thousand tons to 950 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by steady demand for palm oil as a biofuel additive and increasing corporate commitments to certified sustainable palm oil under RSPO standards. However, the European Union began implementing caps on biofuels from high ILUC-risk feedstocks, which included palm oil, aiming to limit indirect land-use change.

Market volume dropped to 789 thousand tons in 2021 as the EU prepared stricter deforestation-free supply chain rules (EUDR), creating uncertainty for importers. A temporary rebound to 1 006 thousand tons occurred in 2022 when the EU postponed the EUDR's enforcement to December 2025, and demand for certified sustainable palm oil continued to rise among major German retailers and food manufacturers.

The adoption of the EUDR in late 2023 led to a contraction in market volume to 898 thousand tons, as companies adjusted to the new due diligence requirements. By 2024, the market stabilized at 872 thousand tons with the EUDR coming into full effect and national legislation further restricting the use of palm oil-based biofuels in Germany's greenhouse gas quota system.

Production palm oil and fractions in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's palm oil and fractions production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 176.0 million US dollars, marking a controlled 7.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 144.4 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 24.9%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a 13.6% growth.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany maintained the 10th position globally in palm oil and fractions production volume.

Top producers of palm oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of palm oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Germany's palm oil and fractions production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 501.0 thousand tonnes, remaining virtually unchanged compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 22.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 485.8 thousand tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 25.2%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, with a 3.0% rise.

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

Exports palm oil and fractions from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Palm oil and fractions exports from Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 309.9 thousand tonnes, representing a 7.1% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 18.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the three largest markets—Poland, Denmark, and Belgium—remained central to Germany's exports in kind, collectively accounting for 67.3% of total flows.

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

After a two-year decrease, Germany's palm oil and fractions exports increased in value. In 2020, export value totalled 279.6 million US dollars, up 6.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 263.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 19.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland (41.4% of export value), Denmark (17.4%), and Belgium (6.0%) consistently held leading positions in Germany's export structure by value, jointly representing 64.8% 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 palm oil and fractions to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Germany's palm oil and fractions import volume increased. In 2020, imports reached 758.5 thousand tonnes, showing a solid 10.5% advance compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 19%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 686.5 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 26.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (35.8% of imports in kind), Malaysia (17.4%), and Indonesia (15.4%) were the largest suppliers of palm oil and fractions to Germany, together forming 68.5% 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

After a two-year decrease, Germany's palm oil and fractions import value increased. In 2020, imports totalled 626.5 million US dollars, reflecting a strong 21.0% advance relative to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 21.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 517.8 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 26.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (37.5% of import value), Malaysia (15.0%), and Indonesia (12.7%) formed the main group of sources for Germany's palm oil and fractions imports by value, with a combined share of 65.2% 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