Vegetable or animal colouring matter market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, production of vegetable and animal colouring matter in Germany remained relatively stable, ranging between 9 600 t and 9 900 t. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 initiated a rise in consumer demand for natural colourants due to heightened health consciousness and a clean-label trend, supporting market volume. However, in 2021, domestic market volume fell sharply to 8 190 t as exports surged by 40% to 6 347 t, reflecting strong global demand that diverted supply away from the local market.

Market volume recovered to 9 225 t in 2022, driven by stringent EU food labeling regulations that promoted the use of natural colourants and technological advances in extraction processes for pigments like spirulina and anthocyanins, which improved stability and expanded applications. This regulatory and innovation push helped offset earlier export-driven domestic shortages.

By 2024, market volume grew further to 9 661 t, underpinned by continued sector innovation. Döhler Group opened its Natural Pigment Innovation Lab in Darmstadt to develop water-dispersible colourants, while Symrise AG collaborated with a German startup to produce sustainable red pigments from upcycled fruit peels. Concurrently, tightened EU import controls on plant and animal products affected supply chains, yet consumer preference for natural colourants over synthetic alternatives remained a key demand driver.

Production vegetable or animal colouring matter in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Germany, the output of vegetable or animal colouring matter was valued at 83 571 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 2.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 10.4%, while the most significant decline was in 2019 at 2.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Germany produced 9 941 tonnes of vegetable or animal colouring matter in 2020, showing a sharp increase of 37.1% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 41%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 12.1%.

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

Exports vegetable or animal colouring matter from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's exports of vegetable or animal colouring matter increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 4 532 tonnes, reflecting a slight uptick of 0.6% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 7.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. The Netherlands accounted for 10.8% of exports in kind, France for 8.7%, and the United Kingdom for 8.7%, together representing 28.1% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 71.9%.

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 exported 99.4 million US dollars worth of vegetable or animal colouring matter in 2020, amounting to a strong uptick of 11.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 19.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.8%.

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

An analysis of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. The Netherlands accounted for 10.3% of exports in value terms, the United Kingdom for 10.3%, and France for 8.1%, together representing only 28.7% of total flows. A significant 71.3% was attributed to other partners.

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

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

Imports vegetable or animal colouring matter to Germany

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year gain, Germany's volume of vegetable or animal colouring matter imports declined. In 2020, import volume reached 5 061 tonnes, equivalent to a robust decline of 11.7% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 730 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands stood out as the main market for imports in kind, accounting for 28.6%, followed by China at 17.6% and Italy at 13.6%. Together, these three countries represented 59.8% 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 vegetable or animal colouring matter increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 99.4 million US dollars, corresponding to a gradual rise of 3.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 5.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for vegetable or animal colouring matter imports in value terms. China accounted for 19.2% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 18.6%, and Peru for 7.9%, together taking only 45.7% of total imports. Many smaller partners each accounted for modest individual shares.

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

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