Safety razor blades including razor blade blanks in strips market in Germany, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for safety razor blades maintained stability from 2018 to 2020, with market size oscillating between 290 million USD and 292 million USD. This period was marked by the entry of new competitor Harry's, which started selling in Germany in 2018 after acquiring local manufacturer Feintechnik GmbH, intensifying market competition. Simultaneously, Gillette introduced the Sensor3 cooler disposable razor with proprietary cooling technology, fostering innovation. Consumer preferences began shifting towards greener disposable blades due to environmental awareness, while the growing trend of body hair removal among women expanded the addressable market.

Market volume rose by 6.2% to 310 million USD in 2021, primarily driven by the government's removal of supply chain restrictions, which streamlined production and distribution. The global surge in popularity of single-edge razor blades further stimulated segment growth. However, in 2022, the market contracted by 9.9% to 279 million USD as young German men adopted changed shaving and hair removal behaviors, often prioritizing skincare benefits, which reduced demand for traditional blades. This was accompanied by a reshuffling of brand market shares, with private labels gaining traction.

By 2024, the market rebounded strongly to 340 million USD, reflecting a sustained consumer shift towards reusable safety razors and sustainable grooming products. The trend towards eco-friendly, recyclable, or refillable stainless steel blades had been accelerating since 2023, when Edgewell Personal Care launched a gender-neutral razor series, boosting acceptance among younger consumers. Online sales channels continued to expand, supporting market growth through increased digital adoption.

Production safety razor blades in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of safety razor blades, including razor blade blanks in strips, has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 505.1 million US dollars, down 0.6% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M unit

After a two-year decline, Germany's production volume of safety razor blades, including razor blade blanks in strips, increased in 2020. The country produced 2,303 million units, marking a modest uptick of 3.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 2,221 million units, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 5.9%.

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

Exports safety razor blades from Germany

Exports in kind, M unit

Germany's exports of safety razor blades, including razor blade blanks in strips, increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 2,808 million units, which is 6.0% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2,583 million units, which also saw the largest decline of 10.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Czechia, and China were the key partners for Germany's exports in kind. Poland accounted for 43.5% of exports, Czechia for 20.9%, and China for 6.5%. Together, these three countries represented 70.8% of total 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, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's exports of safety razor blades, including razor blade blanks in strips, were valued at 330.6 million US dollars, a gain of 1.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 5%, equating to an annualized rate of -1.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 325.2 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 358.2 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.0%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Poland, the United States, and Switzerland stood out as the main markets for Germany's exports in value terms. Poland accounted for 53.5% of exports, the United States for 9.3%, and Switzerland for 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented 70.7% of total export 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 safety razor blades to Germany

Imports in kind, M unit

Germany's imports of safety razor blades, including razor blade blanks in strips, increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 3,102 million units, showing a rise of 12.1% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 594.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 90.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Czechia, and the Netherlands were the principal suppliers of safety razor blades, including razor blade blanks in strips, to Germany. Poland accounted for 59.3% of imports in kind, Czechia for 13.6%, and the Netherlands for 5.2%. Jointly, these three countries accounted for 78.1% 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 safety razor blades, including razor blade blanks in strips, increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported these goods worth 330.6 million US dollars, equivalent to a controlled rise of 9.6% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 25.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Poland, South Korea, and Czechia formed the main cluster of markets for Germany's imports in value terms. Poland accounted for 44.7% of imports, South Korea for 14.2%, and Czechia for 9.9%. Together, these three countries had a combined share of 68.8% 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