Peptones, protein substances and hide powder market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for peptones and protein substances demonstrated substantial growth, with volume rising from 22 624 t in 2019 to 40 084 t in 2024, despite a temporary contraction in 2021. This expansion was primarily driven by consistently strong demand from pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications, supported by Germany's advanced research ecosystem and industrial base in these sectors.

New production facilities for plant-based peptones commenced operations in 2023 and 2024, directly increasing available supply. This capacity buildup responded to a clear shift in consumer preferences toward sustainable and ethical products, which elevated demand for plant-based and yeast-derived peptones. Furthermore, the strategic acquisition of DSM-Firmenich's yeast extract business by Biospringer by Lesaffre strengthened the portfolio of nutrients for microbiological culture media, enhancing product offerings in the market.

Significant investments in energy-efficient and sustainable manufacturing technologies, particularly noted from 2021 onward, improved production capabilities. Combined with the growing importance of peptones in biopharmaceutical production for cell culture media and fermentation, these investments underpinned the notable market volume increase, especially the sharp rise observed in 2024.

Production peptones, protein substances and hide powder in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Production of peptones, protein substances, and hide powder in Germany has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached a value of 39 823 thousand US dollars, marking a 19.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 89.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 23.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Germany produced 7 565 tonnes of peptones, protein substances, and hide powder, which represents a slight decline of 1.9% compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 14.6%, translating to an average annual decrease of 5.1%.

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

Exports peptones, protein substances and hide powder from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, exports of peptones, protein substances, and hide powder from Germany experienced a downturn. In 2020, Germany exported 26 717 tonnes, a decrease of 7.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports still managed to rise by 6.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 28 800 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 14.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for peptones, protein substances, and hide powder in volume terms was fairly balanced rather than concentrated. The Netherlands accounted for 14.5% of exports, Denmark for 11.3%, and the United Kingdom for 10.6%, together making up 36.4% of total flows. The remaining 63.6% was distributed among many 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

Exports of peptones, protein substances, and hide powder from Germany have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 276.2 million US dollars, a significant rise of 14.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 73.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.2%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. The Netherlands represented 23.7% of export value, the United States 12.1%, and the United Kingdom 10.0%, together accounting for 45.7% of total flows. The rest was spread across numerous other destinations.

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

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

Imports peptones, protein substances and hide powder to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Imports of peptones, protein substances, and hide powder into Germany have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, Germany imported approximately 44 251 tonnes, a modest increase of 1.2% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.9%, with an average annual rate of 2.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 37 663 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.3%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 16.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure in volume terms was highly diversified. The Netherlands contributed 16.8% of imports, Belgium 13.3%, and the United States 13.1%, together making up 43.2% of total flows. The remaining 56.8% was shared among many smaller partner countries.

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

Imports of peptones, protein substances, and hide powder into Germany have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 288.7 million US dollars, up by 10.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 30.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.3%.

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

The import market in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad-based. The United States accounted for 21.3% of import value, the Netherlands for 12.2%, and New Zealand for 11.0%, together representing 44.5% of total flows. The remaining 55.5% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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