Unwrought magnesium market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German unwrought magnesium market opened the period at 46 919 t in 2019 but contracted sharply to 35 820 t in 2020.

Market volume rebounded to 45 154 t in 2021 after energy-saving measures in China curtailed magnesium production, causing supply shortages in the EU that prompted German companies to build inventories. In 2022, consumption eased to 42 450 t as persistent reliance on Chinese imports created supply risks, though demand from lightweight automotive and aerospace applications provided underlying support.

By 2024, the market had fallen further to 30 621 t. Ongoing magnesium shortfalls from China, driven by energy scarcity and export limits, constrained imports. The same year, the EU's Critical Raw Material Act entered force, aiming to secure supply chains for critical materials like magnesium through diversification and recycling initiatives.

Production unwrought magnesium in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of unwrought magnesium was valued at 50 059 thousand US dollars, which represents a 9.1% decrease compared to the previous year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Germany produced 8 592 tonnes of unwrought magnesium, marking a significant reduction of 31.7% from 2019.

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

Exports unwrought magnesium from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Unwrought magnesium exports from Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 9 460 tonnes, showing a sharp reduction of 25.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 36.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.0%.

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

The partner structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. Switzerland accounted for 21.3% of exports in kind, the United States for 11.3%, and the Netherlands for 11.1%, with these three countries together making up only 43.7% of total flows, and no single country achieving a dominant share.

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 unwrought magnesium exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 29.3 million US dollars, constituting a solid decrease of 18.8% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 29.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of unwrought magnesium from Germany were distributed across a large number of markets. The United States accounted for 15.6% of exports in value terms, Italy for 13.1%, and Switzerland for 12.1%, with these three countries jointly representing only 40.8% 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 unwrought magnesium to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Unwrought magnesium imports into Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 36 688 tonnes, marking a robust decrease of 21.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 27.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 54 499 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—China, the Netherlands, and Austria—together absorbed 85.1% of total imports in kind of unwrought magnesium to Germany.

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

Imported unwrought magnesium volumes into Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 89.8 million US dollars, showing a steep reduction of 28.8% over the past year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 30.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 142.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 10.6%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, China accounted for 55.5% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 15.4%, and Austria for 13.9%, with these three countries together absorbing 84.8% of total imports in value terms of unwrought magnesium to Germany, making them the primary sources.

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

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