Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €90.3bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The pandemic has increased demand for haulage services
- When the coronavirus pandemic began, the number of transport orders from industry initially fell. From autumn 2020, however, many industrial companies began to replenish their stocks of raw materials and supplier parts, which had been reduced at the beginning of the pandemic, at relatively the same time, which led to a significant increase in demand for freight forwarding services.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The business environment is becoming increasingly challenging for haulage companies
- The global economy will continue to be characterised by the negative economic consequences of the pandemic and the Ukraine conflict in the coming years. These include, for example, continued high commodity prices and increased debt levels. The difficult framework conditions are also slowing down the recovery of production volumes in industry and thus affecting the demand for goods transport.
Biggest companies in the Freight Forwarding in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Deutsche Post AG | 14,034.7 | |
Deutsche Bahn AG | 10,025.9 | |
Dachser Group SE & Co. KG | 4,398.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Domestic freight transport, International freight transport and Additional services. Domestic freight transport is the largest segment of the Freight Forwarding in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Fewer and fewer haulage companies are focussing exclusively on domestic freight transport
- This segment comprises the organisation of mostly shorter domestic transport journeys. Even if goods from abroad arrive at the port of Hamburg, for example, and the freight forwarding order only begins there, this counts as domestic freight transport from the freight forwarder's point of view.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The core task of the freight forwarding industry is to organise the shipment of goods using various modes of transport. Accompanying activities such as the handling of customs formalities or the packing and repacking of goods are also part of the industry's services. The actual transport service and freight handling do not fall under the industry definition, although many freight forwarders also offer these activities.
What's included in this industry?
Domestic freight transportInternational freight transportCompanies
Deutsche Post AGDeutsche Bahn AGDachser Group SE & Co. KGPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
INVENTORY TURNOVERCARRIERNEARSOURCINGCONTRACT LOGISTICSREVENUE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENTPARTICIPATIONGLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)Industry Code
WZ 52.29.1 - Freight Forwarding in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The e-commerce boom holds additional sales potential for freight forwarders. However, the growing market power of large online retailers that goes hand in hand with this is a...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Cross-border freight forwarding services are becoming increasingly important in view of the growing volume of German foreign trade. Goods from the manufacturing industry in p...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The most important criteria when choosing a location are the number of inhabitants and the business environment. Most freight forwarding companies can therefore be found in t...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The ongoing digitalisation within the industry is leading to an increase in market concentration. Smaller freight forwarders often do not have the financial resources to carr...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
The coronavirus pandemic had both positive and negative effects on the major freight forwarding service providers. On the one hand, they benefited from the growth in online t...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Deutsche Post AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Deutsche Bahn AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Dachser Group SE & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Deutsche Post AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Deutsche Bahn AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Dachser Group SE & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Forwarders are responsible for the damage-free transport of goods within the scope of custodial liability. Forwarders are also at least partially liable in the event of damag...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Strengthened supply chains and the inventory replenishment effect have recently given freight forwarders higher profit margins. However, the fading of these effects and the i...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Freight Forwarding industry in Germany in 2024?
The market size of the Freight Forwarding industry in Germany is €90.3bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Freight Forwarding in Germany industry in 2024?
There are 14,494 businesses in the Freight Forwarding industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Freight Forwarding industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Freight Forwarding industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Freight Forwarding industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Freight Forwarding industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Freight Forwarding market in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Freight Forwarding market in Germany are Deutsche Post AG, Deutsche Bahn AG and Dachser Group SE & Co. KG
What does the Freight Forwarding in Germany include?
Domestic freight transport and International freight transport are part of the Freight Forwarding industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Freight Forwarding in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in Germany is Deutsche Post AG.
How competitive is the Freight Forwarding industry in Germany?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Freight Forwarding industry in Germany.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Freight Rail Transport in Germany
- Freight Road Transport in Germany
- Freight Transport By Road and Removal Services
- Sea & Coastal Freight Water Transport in Germany
- Inland Freight Water Transport in Germany
- Freight Air Transport in Germany
International industries
- Freight Forwarding Brokerages & Agencies in the US
- Freight Forwarding Brokerages & Agencies in Canada
- Road Freight Forwarding in Australia
- Rail, Air and Sea Freight Forwarding in Australia
- Customs Agency and Freight Forwarding Services in New Zealand
View all industries in Germany
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
