Slaked market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Germany remained a leading producer of slaked lime in the EU, but production and market volume declined in 2018 and 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced global economic uncertainty and supply chain disruptions, which further stabilized the market at around 1 306 thousand tons.

Market volume recovered to 1 377 thousand tons in 2021, supported by increased imports of slaked lime. However, in 2022, rising global energy prices and ongoing supply chain issues pressured production, leading to a decrease in market volume.

By 2023, market volume dropped to 1 201 thousand tons before stabilizing at 1 200 thousand tons in 2024. Despite these volume fluctuations, the market value grew consistently from $101.2 million in 2018 to $170.0 million in 2024, reflecting higher lime prices.

Production slaked in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the output value of slaked lime reached 110.2 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 7.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 102.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.5% during this timeframe.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's slaked lime production volume has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 1,336 thousand tonnes, showing only a slight fluctuation compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6.7%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 2.3%.

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

Exports slaked from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's cross-border shipments of slaked lime have fallen for two consecutive years. In 2020, the country exported 100.2 thousand tonnes, representing a moderate decline of 7.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 6.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 111.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 3.5% during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Denmark were the top buyers of slaked lime from Germany in terms of volume. The Netherlands accounted for 40.1% of exports, France for 11.6%, and Denmark for 10.2%. Together, these three countries made up 61.9% of Germany's total slaked lime exports by volume.

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 slaked lime exports in value terms amounted to 16,435 thousand US dollars in 2020, reflecting a 2.8% increase over the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15,983 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.6%. In contrast, the highest value was in 2018 at 17,113 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 4.2% occurring that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Denmark formed the primary group of destinations for Germany's slaked lime exports in value terms. The Netherlands held a 34.7% share, France 9.9%, and Denmark 8.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 53.5% of Germany's total export value in slaked lime.

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

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

Imports slaked to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, Germany's slaked lime imports in volume terms saw an uptick. In 2020, the country imported 69.3 thousand tonnes, showing a small increase of 0.8% compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 69.3 thousand tonnes, which also marked the largest decline of 1.1% during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Switzerland, and Czechia stood out as the main sources for Germany's slaked lime imports by volume. Austria contributed 34.8% of imports, Switzerland 28.1%, and Czechia 23.4%. Together, these three countries represented 86.3% of Germany's total slaked lime import volume.

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

Following a two-year decrease, Germany's slaked lime import volume in value terms increased. In 2020, imports totaled 8,152 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a modest gain of 6.7% over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 3.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8,152 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 1.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland, Austria, and Czechia remained the leading sources for Germany's slaked lime imports in value terms. Switzerland accounted for 33.2% of imports, Austria for 32.8%, and Czechia for 15.4%. Combined, these three countries made up 81.4% of Germany's total import value in slaked lime.

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

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