Tarred macadam market in Germany, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The German tarred macadam market experienced a gradual contraction in physical volume from 20 331 thousand tons in 2018 to 18 566 thousand tons in 2024. Over the same period, the market's value increased from 1 017 million US dollars to 1 255 million US dollars, indicating significant price inflation that offset the decline in quantity.

Germany maintained its position as a leading global exporter of tarred macadam during the early 2020s, underscoring the strong role of state-owned and large private producers in the industry. However, from 2023 onward, the sector faced mounting cost pressures due to new global supply chain transparency laws and persistently high logistics expenses, which raised production costs and contributed to higher market prices.

By 2024, further regulatory tightening in circular economy requirements and policy shifts in the construction sector, including stricter energy and environmental standards for buildings, altered demand dynamics. These factors, coupled with emerging consumer 'green fatigue' toward sustainability claims, created a challenging environment that influenced both consumption volumes and the cost structure of the tarred macadam market.

Production tarred macadam in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's tarred macadam production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 1 021 million US dollars, representing a slight year-on-year decrease of 2.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 044 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 19.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 20 036 thousand tonnes of tarred macadam, marking a slight year-on-year decrease of 2.3%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 20 504 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 10.8%.

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

Exports tarred macadam from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's cross-border shipments of tarred macadam totaled 174.8 thousand tonnes, showing a slight year-on-year increase of 2.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 171.3 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 205.2 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 16.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria and Switzerland dominated Germany's tarred macadam exports in kind, together accounting for 95.7% of total flows, with other destinations contributing smaller individual shares.

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 tarred macadam exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 9 224 thousand US dollars, reflecting a small decrease of 2.9% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 315 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 14.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Switzerland and Austria were the dominant buyers of tarred macadam from Germany in value terms, together taking 94.8% of total exports, with other destinations each accounting for relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports tarred macadam to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's volume of tarred macadam imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 47.5 thousand tonnes, equivalent to a solid gain of 10.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 148.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 35.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Switzerland played a dominant role in Germany's tarred macadam imports in kind, consistently accounting for 98.4% 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, K $ US

Germany's value of tarred macadam imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 503 thousand US dollars, up by 111.5% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 224.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 48.1%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Switzerland concentrated most of Germany's tarred macadam imports in value terms, taking 81.8% of total flows, with a fragmented tail of other markets.

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

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