Top 20 Most Profitable Products to Export from Germany in 2024

Germany is known across the globe as an export powerhouse. In 2021, Germany exported over €1.4 trillion worth of products worldwide.

As an exporter looking to source lucrative products, Germany offers an abundance of options spanning various industries from automotives to pharmaceuticals.

In this post, we will explore the top 20 profitable export opportunities from Germany along with key stats to guide your sourcing and export strategy.

Why Export from Germany?

Here are some key reasons why Germany makes an excellent export partner:

• Innovation and Technology: German companies are at the forefront of innovation which translates into products with global demand. From industrial machinery to lab equipment, German technology sets the gold standard.
• Specialized Manufacturing: Germany has deeply ingrained manufacturing expertise across chemicals, textiles, metals, electronics and more. This allows for production of specialized, high-margin products.
• Stringent Standards: Germany adheres to extremely stringent production standards, safety compliance and quality control. This reassures global importers and consumers.
• Strong Transport Infrastructure: Germany possesses extensive transport infrastructure including roads, rail, airports and waterways along with integrated logistics networks facilitating efficient distribution.

In a nutshell, Germany produces an unparalleled portfolio of advanced, compliant and reputable products desired by importers worldwide.

Now let’s examine the top 20 profitable Made in Germany export products:

1. Vehicles

Leading the pack are motor vehicles which comprised Germany’s largest export category in 2021 valued at €227.6 billion. Key stats:

• Profit Margin: 8-12%
• Export Share: 16% of Germany’s exports
• Export Value: €227.6 billion
• Main Export Countries: USA, UK, China, France, Italy

Germany’s auto brands including Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW rank among the most prestigious and sought-after worldwide. SUVs, luxury sedans and premium sports cars offer attractive profit margins. Brand perception also allows for pricing power abroad.

2. Vehicle Parts

Closely following are automotive components and parts weighing in at €113 billion:

• Profit Margin: 15-20%
• Export Share: 8% of exports
• Export Value: €113 billion
• Main Export Countries: USA, China, UK, France, Poland

The German auto industry relies on an interconnected supply chain of parts manufacturers. Exporters can source high-grade components including engines, lighting, electronics and interiors from German manufacturers at competitive rates.

3. Pharmaceuticals

Germany has a long-established pharmaceutical and drug manufacturing base serving both domestic and export markets.

• Profit Margin: 20-30%
• Export Share: 5.4% of exports
• Export Value: €75 billion
• Main Export Countries: USA, Switzerland, China, Netherlands, Belgium

Strict clinical testing and GMP-certified facilities enable Germany to produce the highest quality medications and remedies. Complex, value-added pharma products offer among the highest profit margins.

4. Aircraft

Germany possesses an advanced aerospace industry crafting state-of-the-art aircraft. Key export stats:

• Profit Margin: 8-12%
• Export Share: 2.3% of exports
• Export Value: €32.5 billion
• Main Export Countries: France, USA, China, U.A.E, Singapore

In demand globally are commercial airliners, helicopters, private jets, aircraft components and integrated airplane systems from leading manufacturers.

5. Industrial Machinery

Germany excels at heavyweight, high-spec industrial machinery and equipment.

• Profit Margin: 15-20%
• Export Share: 7.2% of exports
• Export Value: €100 billion
• Main Export Countries: China, USA, France, Poland, Italy

German machinery sets benchmarks for precision engineering, reliability and cutting-edge technology satisfying industrial needs worldwide.

6. Electrical Equipment

Advanced German electrical systems and apparatus maintain substantial global demand:

• Profit Margin: 8-15%
• Export Share: 4.6% of exports
• Export Value: €65 billion
• Main Export Countries: China, USA, Poland, France, Netherlands

German electricalgear including transformers, batteries, signaling devices, LED lighting and other specialized components offer lucrative trade potential.

7. Medical Technology

Germany leads development of diagnostic equipment, biotech apparatus and precision medical gear:

• Profit Margin: 20-30%
• Export Share: 4% of exports
• Export Value: €55 billion
• Main Export Countries: USA, China, France, UK, Switzerland

German medtech especially diagnostics kits, scanning systems and measurement instrumentation command elevated pricing supplemented by reputable branding.

8. Chemical Products

Representing a broad range of goods, German chemical products remain indispensible globally:

• Profit Margin: 15-25%
• Export Share: 6.5% of Germany’s exports
• Export Value: €91 billion
• Main Export Countries: Netherlands, France, China, USA, UK

Germany’s chemical catalog includes adhesives, fertilizers, cosmetics, paints, detergents, specialty polymers along with organic and inorganic industrial compounds meeting commercial and consumer requirements internationally.

9. Optical/Photographic Equipment

Precision German optics and imagery products retain strong global uptake:

• Profit Margin: 20-30%
• Export Share: 2% of exports
• Export Value: €29 billion
• Main Export Countries: China, USA, France, UK, Netherlands

German offerings range from optical lenses, measuring instrumentation and photographic gear to cutting-edge sensors and imagery components integrated into smartphones, satellites and defense systems.

10. Iron and Steel

Despite industrial competition, German iron and steel still secures substantial exports:

• Profit Margin: 8-15%
• Export Share: 2.4% of exports
• Export Value: €35 billion
• Main Export Countries: France, Poland, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic

German steel manufacturers provide specific grades and alloys globally competitive on metrics beyond mere commodity pricing.

11. Telecommunications Equipment

Germany also leads globally in sophisticated telecom infrastructure:

• Profit Margin: 8-15%
• Export Share: 1.5% of exports
• Export Value: €22 billion
• Main Export Countries: Austria, USA, Netherlands, Poland, France

With incessant digitalization and mobile penetration, German routers, antennas, base stations, network gear and telephony products track strong export momentum.

12. Electronic Equipment

Advanced German electronic products retain strong global uptake:

• Profit Margin: 8-15%
• Export Share: 3.8% of exports
• Export Value: €54 billion
• Main Export Countries: China, USA, Poland, Netherlands, France

German offerings span integrated circuits, displays, sensors, batteries, PCBs and other electronics designed into varied embedde systems worldwide.

13. Metal Products

Representing Germany’s industrial backbone are processed metalwares:

• Profit Margin: 8-15%
• Export Share: 3.3% of exports
• Export Value: €47 billion
• Main Export Countries: France, USA, China, Austria, Poland

Spanning stainless steel, aluminum, copper and titanium – industrially essential German metalwares include pipes, tubes, foils, castings and forgings finding diverse global offtake.

14. Non-Electrical Machinery

Encompassing pumps, compressors, pneumatics, robotics and more – non-electrical machinery retains stable demand:

• Profit Margin: 8-15%
• Export Share: 2.5% of exports
• Export Value: €36 billion
• Main Export Countries: China, USA, France, Italy, Austria

Factories, mines and mills worldwide invest in German fluid power machines, gear systems and specialty non-electronic equipment integrating mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic functionality.

15. Power Generating Machinery

Sophisticated power generating equipment constitutes an unique German export:

• Profit Margin: 8-15%
• Export Share: 1.5% of exports
• Export Value: €21 billion
• Main Export Countries: China, USA, Netherlands, France, UK

From diesel gensets to gas turbines and associated components – German energygear supports power reliability globally. Eco-friendly wind turbines also trac strong foreign uptake.

16. Synthetic Textiles

Though facing Asian rivalry, German synthetic textiles still post reasonable exports:

• Profit Margin: 15-25%
• Export Share: 1% of exports
• Export Value: €15 billion
• Main Export Countries: Turkey, Poland, Italy, Austria, Switzerland

Bridging functionality with sustainability – German synthetics include nylons, rayons, polyester and blended technical fabrics finding broad downstream usage.

17. Railway Equipment

Catering to accelerated urbanization worldwide, German rail technologies show export resurgence:

• Profit Margin: 8-15%
• Export Share: 0.8% of exports
• Export Value: €12 billion
• Main Export Countries: Austria, USA, France, China, Sweden

With cities worldwide expanding rail infrastructure – advanced locomotives, monorail carriages, embedded signal/control equipment and related supplies from Germany are in demand.

18. Paper Products

Despite digitalization, German paper products back reasonable exports:

• Profit Margin: 15-25%
• Export Share: 1% of exports
• Export Value: €15 billion
• Main Export Countries: France, Poland, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium

Spanning graphic paper, newsprint, packaging materials and specialty paper – German manufacturers emphasize quality, processes and sustainability.

19. Beverages

Beverages constitute Germany’s leading consumer export:

• Profit Margin: 15-25%
• Export Share: 0.7% of exports
• Export Value: €10 billion
• Main Export Countries: UK, Italy, China, Netherlands, France

Iconic German beer varieties, fruit wines and non-alcoholic drinks tracked double digit export expansion through 2021 – underscoring foreign appetite.

20. Ceramic Products

And completing the lineup are German ceramic wares finding niche foreign uptake:

• Profit Margin: 15-25%
• Export Share: 0.5% of exports
• Export Value: €7 billion
• Main Export Countries: France, USA, Austria, Poland, China

Beyond core industrial applications in chemicals and power – artisanal German pottery, porcelain and tableware products cater to selective global connoisseurs.

Here is the complete table with all 20 profitable German export products:

Sr	Product Name	Approx. Profit Margin	Total Export Share %	Total Export Value	Main Export Countries
1	Vehicles	8-12%	16%	€ 227.6 billion	USA, UK, China, France, Italy
2	Vehicle Parts	15-20%	8%	€ 113 billion	USA, China, UK, France, Poland
3	Pharmaceuticals	20-30%	5.4%	€ 75 billion	USA, Switzerland, China, Netherlands, Belgium
4	Aircraft	8-12%	2.3%	€ 32.5 billion	France, USA, China, U.A.E, Singapore
5	Industrial Machinery	15-20%	7.2%	€ 100 billion	China, USA, France, Poland, Italy
6	Electrical Equipment	8-15%	4.6%	€ 65 billion	China, USA, Poland, France, Netherlands
7	Medical Technology	20-30%	4%	€ 55 billion	USA, China, France, UK, Switzerland
8	Chemical Products	15-25%	6.5%	€ 91 billion	Netherlands, France, China, USA, UK
9	Optical/Photographic Equipment	20-30%	2%	€ 29 billion	China, USA, France, UK, Netherlands
10	Iron and Steel	8-15%	2.4%	€ 35 billion	France, Poland, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic
11	Telecommunications Equipment	8-15%	1.5%	€ 22 billion	Austria, USA, Netherlands, Poland, France
12	Electronic Equipment	8-15%	3.8%	€ 54 billion	China, USA, Poland, Netherlands, France
13	Metal Products	8-15%	3.3%	€ 47 billion	France, USA, China, Austria, Poland
14	Non-Electrical Machinery	8-15%	2.5%	€ 36 billion	China, USA, France, Italy, Austria
15	Power Generating Machinery	8-15%	1.5%	€ 21 billion	China, USA, Netherlands, France, UK
16	Synthetic Textiles	15-25%	1%	€ 15 billion	Turkey, Poland, Italy, Austria, Switzerland
17	Railway Equipment	8-15%	0.8%	€ 12 billion	Austria, USA, France, China, Sweden
18	Paper Products	15-25%	1%	€ 15 billion	France, Poland, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium
19	Beverages	15-25%	0.7%	€ 10 billion	UK, Italy, China, Netherlands, France
20	Ceramic Products	15-25%	0.5%	€ 7 billion	France, USA, Austria, Poland, China