Stone granules and powder market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for stone granules and powder in Germany experienced significant shifts between 2018 and 2024. Starting at 45 510 thousand tons in 2018, market volume dropped sharply to 37 285 thousand tons in 2019. This was followed by a period of relative stability, with volumes hovering around 36 000 thousand tons in 2020 and 2021. A modest recovery to 37 496 thousand tons occurred in 2022, but by 2024 the market had contracted again to 31 670 thousand tons.

In value terms, the market mirrored this volatility, declining from $572.8 million USD in 2018 to $465.1 million USD in 2024. The initial drop in 2019 coincided with a reduction in both production and imports, while subsequent fluctuations were influenced by changing trade balances and production levels.

By 2024, the industry landscape featured major players like Franken-Schotter, which operates four quarries and produces approximately 2 million tons of natural stone products annually, including chippings. Simultaneously, the sector saw innovations aimed at improving sustainability, such as reduced water consumption and lower emissions during stone processing. These developments reflect an ongoing transformation within the German stone materials market.

Production stone granules and powder in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of stone granules and powder was valued at 372.6 million US dollars, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 8.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 344.4 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 434.3 million US dollars. The most significant drop was observed in 2019 with a 20.7% decrease, whereas the largest gain was in 2018 with a 9.1% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 35,418 thousand tonnes of stone granules and powder, showing little change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 19%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -6.8%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 35,415 thousand tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 43,872 thousand tonnes. The steepest decline occurred in 2019 with a 19.3% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 0.4% uptick.

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

Exports stone granules and powder from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's exports of stone granules and powder totaled 3,654 thousand tonnes, representing an 11.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 10.7%, equating to an annualized rate of -3.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 4,131 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase also occurring that year at 1.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Poland were the top three markets for Germany's exports in kind, collectively accounting for 77.5% of total 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

Germany's stone granules and powder exports in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 109.5 million US dollars, reflecting a slight increase of 0.6% over the past year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 11.3%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 3.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium formed the core of Germany's exports in value terms, with shares of 42.9%, 18.9%, and 8.7% respectively, together making up 70.5% 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 stone granules and powder to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's imports of stone granules and powder stood at 4,544 thousand tonnes, indicating a sharp drop of 24.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 37.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.7%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 5.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Austria accounted for the largest share of Germany's imports in kind, with proportions of 39.5%, 25.0%, and 9.5% respectively, together comprising 74.0% of total flows.

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 stone granules and powder in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 203.1 million US dollars, showing a notable decrease of 11.2% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 17.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 246.0 million US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring that year at 0.3%.

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

In the period 2017–2020, Norway, Austria, and Slovenia held the largest shares of Germany's imports in value terms, with 41.8%, 18.0%, and 12.9% respectively, together accounting for 72.7% of total flows.

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

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