Quicklime market in Germany, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2024, the German quicklime market experienced a clear contraction in physical volume, falling from 4 776 thousand tons to 3 937 thousand tons. The most pronounced declines occurred in 2020 and 2023. In contrast, the market's value in U.S. dollars followed a different path: after dipping to $398.8 million in 2020, it entered a sustained growth phase, culminating at $666.7 million in 2024. This sharp divergence highlights a period of substantial price inflation within the industry.

The market's dynamics in recent years were shaped by several key pressures. A rebound in both volume and value in 2021 was followed by a renewed volume decline from 2022 onward, even as prices continued to climb. By 2024, the volume decline had effectively stabilized. During this year, rising raw material and energy costs compelled producers to raise prices to safeguard their margins. Concurrently, muted demand from Germany's construction and steel sectors—major consumers of quicklime—placed a ceiling on consumption volumes, preventing a recovery in market tonnage.

Production quicklime in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2018, Germany's quicklime output reached its peak value at 472.6 million US dollars. This was followed by a decline of 8.2% in 2019, bringing the value down to 433.6 million US dollars. In 2020, production recovered slightly with a 2.0% year-over-year increase, reaching 442.1 million US dollars.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Quicklime production in Germany has been on a downward trend for two consecutive years. In 2018, output peaked at 5 138 thousand tonnes, marking a 2.3% increase from the previous year. However, production fell sharply by 7.2% in 2019 and continued to decline by 4.9% in 2020, reaching 4 533 thousand tonnes. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 9.7%, averaging an annual decline of 3.4%.

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

Exports quicklime from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's quicklime exports showed some fluctuations in recent years. In 2018, exports reached their highest level at 730.6 thousand tonnes, up 1.5% from the previous year. This was followed by a significant drop of 9.7% in 2019, bringing exports down to 659.7 thousand tonnes. In 2020, exports remained relatively stable at 661.9 thousand tonnes, showing little change year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the largest destination for Germany's quicklime exports in volume terms, accounting for 63.5% of the total. Belgium followed with 11.7%, and Poland with 6.2%. Together, these three countries made up 81.4% of Germany's total quicklime export 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, K $ US

Germany's quicklime export value experienced notable changes in recent years. In 2018, it peaked at 77 199 thousand US dollars, but then declined by 9.4% in 2019 to 69 910 thousand US dollars. In 2020, exports rebounded with an 8.1% increase, reaching 75 568 thousand US dollars. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 4.7%, averaging an annual increase of 1.5%.

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

In value terms, the Netherlands dominated Germany's quicklime exports from 2017 to 2020, representing 65.4% of the total. Belgium accounted for 11.7%, and Switzerland for 5.8%. Combined, these three destinations made up 82.9% of Germany's total quicklime export value.

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

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

Imports quicklime to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's quicklime imports saw significant volatility. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 401.0 thousand tonnes, up 8.8% from the previous year. However, in 2020, imports plummeted by 24.8% to 301.7 thousand tonnes. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 23.6%, with an average annual decline of 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the primary source for Germany's quicklime imports in volume terms, holding a substantial 79.5% share of the total. The remaining imports were distributed among various other 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, K $ US

Germany's quicklime import value has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports amounted to 32 268 thousand US dollars, down 14.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 25.8%, with an average annual decline of 9.5%.

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

In value terms, France remained the leading market for Germany's quicklime imports from 2017 to 2020, accounting for 79.7% of the total. The rest of the import value was spread across multiple other destinations.

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

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