Germany's Flat Glass Exports See a Minor Decline, Reaching $1.1B in 2023

Germany Flat Glass Exports

In 2023, the amount of flat glass exported from Germany dropped remarkably to 101M square meters, which is down by -16.5% on the previous year. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a measured increase from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports decreased by -20.2% against 2021 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. The exports peaked at 147M square meters in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, flat glass exports reduced modestly to $1.1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Overall, total exports indicated a notable expansion from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by +38.5% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $1.1B in 2022, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports by Country

the Czech Republic (13M square meters), Austria (13M square meters) and Poland (12M square meters) were the main destinations of flat glass exports from Germany, together accounting for 38% of total exports.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +7.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for flat glass exported from Germany were Austria ($134M), the Czech Republic ($121M) and Poland ($99M), with a combined 33% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +14.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports by Type

Float glass and surface ground glass, in sheets, non-wired, other than coloured throughout the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or merely surface ground (55M square meters) was the largest type of flat glass exported from Germany, accounting for a 54% share of total exports. Moreover, float glass and surface ground glass, in sheets, non-wired, other than coloured throughout the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or merely surface ground exceeded the volume of the second product type, float glass and surface ground glass, in sheets, coloured throughout the mass "body tinted", opacified, flashed or merely surface ground, but not otherwise worked, excluding wired glass or glass having an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer (21M square meters), threefold. Float glass and surface ground or polished glass, in sheets, having an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer, but not otherwise worked (excluding wired glass) (21M square meters) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 21% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the volume of float glass and surface ground glass, in sheets, non-wired, other than coloured throughout the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or merely surface ground exports was relatively modest. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: float glass and surface ground glass, in sheets, coloured throughout the mass "body tinted", opacified, flashed or merely surface ground, but not otherwise worked, excluding wired glass or glass having an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer (+1.8% per year) and float glass and surface ground or polished glass, in sheets, having an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer, but not otherwise worked (excluding wired glass) (+1.8% per year).

In value terms, float glass and surface ground glass, in sheets, non-wired, other than coloured throughout the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or merely surface ground ($417M), float glass and surface ground or polished glass, in sheets, having an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer, but not otherwise worked (excluding wired glass) ($260M) and float glass and surface ground glass, in sheets, coloured throughout the mass "body tinted", opacified, flashed or merely surface ground, but not otherwise worked, excluding wired glass or glass having an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer ($260M) constituted the most exported types of flat glass from Germany worldwide, with a combined 87% share of total exports. Cast glass and rolled glass, non-wired sheets, excluding those coloured throughout the mass (body tinted) opacified, flashed or having an absorbent or reflecting layer, drawn and blown glass, in sheets, other than glass coloured throughout the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or having an absorbent or reflecting layer, drawn and blown glass, in sheets, coloured throughout the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or having an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer, but not otherwise worked, cast glass and rolled glass, non-wired sheets, coloured through the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or having an absorbent, reflecting or non-reflecting layer, cast glass and rolled glass, wired sheets, whether or not having an absorbent or reflecting layer but not otherwise worked, cast glass and rolled glass, profiles, not otherwise worked and float glass and surface ground or polished glass, in sheets, wired glass, whether or not having an absorbent or reflecting layer lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

Cast glass and rolled glass, non-wired sheets, excluding those coloured throughout the mass (body tinted) opacified, flashed or having an absorbent or reflecting layer, with a CAGR of +5.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main product categories over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the flat glass price amounted to $11 per square meter (FOB, Germany), with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($12 per square meter), while the average price for exports to Luxembourg ($5.9 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Belgium (+6.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform