Germany: Container Market 2025

Container Market Size in Germany

The German container market shrank slightly to $X in 2022, waning by -2.5% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a buoyant expansion. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Container Production in Germany

In value terms, container production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Container production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Container Exports

Exports from Germany

In 2022, overseas shipments of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers decreased by -2.8% to X units for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports showed a slight setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 4.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, container exports expanded markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X units), France (X units) and Poland (X units) were the main destinations of container exports from Germany, with a combined 50% share of total exports. Belgium, the UK, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, the United States and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the UK (with a CAGR of +5.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for container exported from Germany were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Poland ($X), together comprising 43% of total exports. The UK, Belgium, Switzerland, the United States, Austria, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 42%.

Among the main countries of destination, the UK, with a CAGR of +7.4%, 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.

Export Prices by Country

The average container export price stood at $X per unit in 2022, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed 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 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Austria ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Spain (+3.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Container Imports

Imports into Germany

After four years of growth, purchases abroad of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers decreased by -7% to X units in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 8.6%. Imports peaked at X units in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, container imports reached $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 12% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X units), the Czech Republic (X units) and Poland (X units) were the main suppliers of container imports to Germany, together comprising 53% of total imports. Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, China, Belgium, Spain, Slovakia, Estonia and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Slovakia (with a CAGR of +12.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Poland ($X) were the largest container suppliers to Germany, together comprising 43% of total imports. Austria, China, Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, Slovakia, Belgium, Turkey and Estonia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

Estonia, with a CAGR of +15.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average container import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, picking up by 8.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 11%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per unit), while the price for Poland ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Estonia (+4.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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