Plastic spectacle frames market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic spectacle frames in Germany experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2024. After starting at 123.8 million US dollars in 2018, the market volume contracted sharply to 77.9 million dollars by 2020, with domestic production falling in parallel from 21.3 million dollars to 9.3 million dollars over the same two-year period.

A recovery phase began in 2021, lifting the market size to 97.9 million dollars and then to 115.8 million dollars in 2022. Production rebounded strongly to 19.5 million dollars in 2022, indicating a revival in domestic manufacturing activity.

By 2024, the market size had settled at 109.4 million dollars while production increased further to 20.6 million dollars. The market landscape in 2024 was shaped by a strong industry shift towards sustainability, marked by the use of recycled plastics and bio-based materials. The introduction of customized frames using 3D-printing technology, available from mid-2024, catered to growing demand for personalization. New regulatory measures, including a levy on single-use plastics effective from January 2024 and upcoming Medical Device Regulation (MDR) requirements, began to influence production standards and costs. Consumer preferences increasingly favored multifunctional eyewear combining vision correction with features like blue-light filtering, supporting demand for innovative plastic frames.

Production plastic spectacle frames in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Germany's production of plastic spectacle frames declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 9 291 K $ US, down 40.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 60.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -26.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Plastic spectacle frames production in Germany fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, 130.9 K units were produced, a decrease of 44.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 53.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -22.5%.

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

Exports plastic spectacle frames from Germany

Exports in kind, K unit

Germany's exports of plastic spectacle frames increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 8 932 K units, up 6.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 25.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia, with 30.0% of exports in kind, Czechia at 28.6%, and Austria at 6.6% were the top buyers of plastic spectacle frames from Germany. Together, they accounted for 65.2% of total exports in kind.

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 plastic spectacle frames in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 54.5 M $ US, a sharp reduction of 16.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 25%, with an annualized rate of -9.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, exports in value terms of plastic spectacle frames from Germany were relatively evenly distributed. Austria accounted for 16.5% of exports in value terms, Switzerland for 14.6%, and France for 8.1%, together making up 39.2% 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 plastic spectacle frames to Germany

Imports in kind, K unit

Germany imported 9 818 K units of plastic spectacle frames in 2020, which is 31.0% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 30%, with an annualized rate of -11.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 14 237 K units, following a 4.0% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the primary supplier of plastic spectacle frames to Germany, accounting for 61.7% of imports in kind, followed by Italy at 11.7% and Hong Kong at 11.1%. Together, these three sources made up 84.5% 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

Germany's imports of plastic spectacle frames in value terms fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 123.2 M $ US, down 23.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 29.8%, with an annualized rate of -11.1%.

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

In 2017–2020, China was the main source for imports in value terms, accounting for 46.4%, followed by Italy at 32.7% and Hong Kong at 5.5%. Together, these three markets represented 84.7% of total import flows.

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

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