Table knives market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the German market for table knives showed considerable volatility in value. Starting at 12.3 million USD in 2018, the market size contracted sharply to 8.5 million USD in 2019. It then recovered to 11.6 million USD in 2022 before expanding strongly to 18.3 million USD in 2023. Domestic production also increased over this period, from 5.5 million USD in 2018 to 6.7 million USD in 2023.

In 2024, regulatory changes began influencing the market environment. From October 31, 2024, amended weapon laws imposed a complete ban on spring knives and tightened restrictions on carrying knives in public areas such as festivals and Christmas markets. Additionally, the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) introduced new labeling and safety requirements from December 2024. Consumer demand continued to favor high-quality, durable table knives with ergonomic designs and premium materials like stainless steel.

Production table knives in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, Germany's output of table knives was valued at 5,572 thousand US dollars, marking a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year.

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

Exports table knives from Germany

Exports in kind, K unit

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 41-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Germany exported 31,663 thousand units of table knives, representing a sharp contraction of 41.0% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,215,962 thousand units. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 95.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 3,967.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. The United States (20.4% of exports in kind), the Netherlands (10.0% of exports in kind), and Poland (8.6% of exports in kind) together accounted for only 39.0% of total flows, with the remaining 61.0% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

After a two-year increase, Germany's volume of table knife exports declined. In 2020, the export volume totaled 17,938 thousand US dollars, down by 22.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 16.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 22,986 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 32.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the role of the United States (21.8% of exports in value terms), the Netherlands (9.5% of exports in value terms), and Poland (8.2% of exports in value terms) as buyers of table knives from Germany was notable but not dominant. Their combined share reached only 39.5% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports table knives to Germany

Imports in kind, K unit

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 2.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Germany imported 913,793 thousand units of table knives, reflecting a significant increase of 75.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 347,489 thousand units. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 63.8%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, Germany's volume of table knife imports increased. In 2020, imports stood at 32,398 thousand US dollars, up by 24.9% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 25,948 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 16.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (45.4% of imports in value terms), Vietnam (26.9% of imports in value terms), and the Netherlands (12.0% of imports in value terms) formed the main group of sources for imports in value terms of table knives to Germany, with a combined share of 84.3% 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