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As the largest economy and the largest energy consumer in Europe, Germany is central to the energy and commodity markets we cover. Our German team, based in Hamburg, provide detailed, insightful local commentary on these specialist markets every day with a range of dedicated services. Argus’ global expertise supports and enhances the solutions we offer German market participants, while our unique insight into the region proves invaluable to those trading with the country.
Key benefits
You can rely on our specialist coverage of the German energy and commodity markets

Trusted methodology
Argus price assessments are underpinned by the most robust, transparent and credible methodologies, developed with the industry to ensure our price assessments are a true reflection of how the markets trade

Local team, global view
With an experienced team based in Hamburg, Argus is uniquely positioned to provide the most local expertise and insights into the German markets and their unique needs, alongside global context and insight from the rest of the world

All key commodities
From oil and biofuels, to natural gas and hydrogen, to agriculture and fertilizers, Argus brings expert insight into prices and developments for all key energy and commodity markets

Consultative approach
We work with the market to provide you with what you need to better win opportunities and manage risk. Our team are in constant contact with industry experts from across the value chain.

Market reflective
Our prices are designed to reflect the realities of today’s physical markets. We keep pace with change and ensure that the insights we provide are relevant and valuable at all times.

Informative
Understand what is driving price trends and market developments, and what is coming next, with our insightful market commentary, analysis and forecasts.
Argus Germany Services
Comprehensive coverage of the energy and commodity markets
News
India’s Fact issues tender to buy phosacid
India’s Fact issues tender to buy phosacid
London, 12 February (Argus) — Indian fertilizer importer and producer Fact has issued a tender to buy up to 12,000t of phosphoric acid, closing on 18 February. Fact is seeking phosphoric acid containing 46-53pc P2O5 for laycan during 20 March-10 April and shipment to Kochi on India's southwest coast. Offers are to be valid for seven days after opening and will include 30 days' credit. Offers will be given as a premium or discount to the first-quarter phosphoric acid contract price of $1,055/t P2O5 cfr India. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Tesla sales slump on ageing line up, competition
Tesla sales slump on ageing line up, competition
London, 12 February (Argus) — US firm Tesla's electric vehicle (EV) sales have continued to fall this year — but as a result of structural factors, such as increased competition, duties and the arrival of Chinese carmakers in the market, and not because of chief executive Elon Musk's public profile, market participants have told Argus . Tesla's European sales fell by 11pc in 2024, having risen by 56pc in 2023 (see graph) . In January 2025, Tesla's sales fell by 63pc on the year in France, 59.5pc in Germany, 44.3pc in Sweden, and 37.9pc in Norway. The smaller 7.8pc fall in the non-EU UK could be explained by the different tariff regime. Some Tesla models sold in Europe are manufactured in Shanghai, and the UK has decided not to impose tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, while the EU imposed a 7.8pc duty on Tesla's Chinese-made EVs in October. Demand for Teslas in the UK, France, Germany and US began to decline in April last year, according to Ben Marks, founder of Electrify Research. Marks also pointed to "notable drops in July and October, by which time Tesla had fallen from the first to fourth-placed brand — trailing Audi, BMW and VW". According to a survey conducted last month by car testers Electrifying.com, of 455 non-EV drivers, 56pc would be happy to buy Chinese, while 59pc have been put off buying a Tesla by the public profile of chief executive Elon Musk, although some market participants pointed to other problems. "Tesla's problems are likely not to do with British motorists' perceptions of Elon Musk, and more to do with the fact that Tesla haven't released a new car since the Model Y, while its competitors have been playing catch-up," independent transport research organisation New AutoMotive's chief executive, Ben Nelmes, said. And with Chinese EV makers now in Europe, and over 130 mainstream EV models available in the UK, "competition has never been fiercer", Electrifying.com chief executive Ginny Buckley told Argus . "[Tesla's] dominance is no longer guaranteed." Meanwhile, Slovakian battery maker InoBat's vice-chair, Andy Palmer, said Tesla "needs to think long and hard about its positioning and product offers if it wants to stop bleeding market share". Tesla models also rely on production of a battery chemistry that is increasingly concentrated in China (see graph) . Standard-range versions of Tesla's best-selling Model 3 and Model Y both use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, rather than premium nickel-cobalt-manganese-based (NCM) batteries. And while input costs of LFP-based EVs have edged down to a discount to NCM-based EVs (see graphs) , domestic LFP production has enabled Chinese carmakers such as BYD to sell their models at prices that are increasingly competitive with Tesla . Tesla better placed to cope than legacy carmakers Tesla's Model Y is still comfortably the best-selling EV model, according to research firm Jato Dynamics. "One of the things with car sales, particularly retail sales — it's not logical, otherwise everyone would drive a Toyota Corolla. People drive the new shiny things. Tesla used to be the shiny thing with the Model Y, but not so much now," the founder of ratings service The Car Expert, Stuart Masson, told Argus . Until recently, Tesla "showed you don't have to make design changes for the sake of it" according to Masson, going against prevailing wisdom. Tesla's cars often still topped ratings for safety, battery efficiency and technology after 3-4 years on the road. Tesla is "better placed to cope" with Chinese competition because it "doesn't have a lot of legacy infrastructure", Masson added. The firm has never had dealers, as conventional carmakers have, or big showrooms that require steady monthly sales. Instead, it operates its own showrooms and interacts with customers directly over the internet, cutting out the middleman used by established dealer networks. Volkswagen, by contrast, "can't sack anyone in Germany because of the unions and local government that have seats on the board; they veto any attempts", Masson said. "It's haemorrhaging money, and it knows full well that most expensive factories are in Germany, but it can't get rid of them." Volkswagen Group's operating profit dropped by 42pc on the year to €2.9bn in the third quarter of 2024 and its operating margin was just 3.6pc. Tesla also makes a much bigger profit from EVs than any western car company, so it can better afford to reduce prices. The firm is also now much more than just a carmaker, Masson added, having launched an energy storage gigafactory in Shanghai this week. "From cars to battery storage, superchargers, robo-taxis and robo-vans, they've launched several concepts that have never gone to production, but they tend to find their feet in every market," Masson said. "I think it will still be okay, but we're not going to see continued growth of 100pc per year … I think there are a lot of car companies that are in far more trouble." By Chris Welch Tesla annual BEV sales in Europe China monthly battery production GWh NCM EV input material price model $ LFP EV input material price model $ Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Mexico factory output dips 1.4pc in December
Mexico factory output dips 1.4pc in December
Mexico City, 12 February (Argus) — Mexico's industrial production fell 1.4pc in December from the previous month with broad weakness across multiple sectors on tariff uncertainty and weak domestic demand. The result marks the largest monthly decline of 2024 and was weaker than the 1pc decline forecast by Mexican bank Banorte. It followed a nearly flat reading in November. Trade uncertainty and low domestic demand weighed on industrial production in December, said Banorte, with industry "sluggishness" likely through mid-2025. Manufacturing, which represents 63pc of Inegi's seasonally adjusted industrial activity indicator (IMAI), decreased by 1.2pc after rising 0.7pc in November. Transportation equipment manufacturing output, which comprises 24pc of the manufacturing component, has fluctuated in recent months, falling 6.4pc in December after a 3.6pc uptick in November and a 4.4pc decline in October. Despite this, Mexico's auto sector achieved record annual light vehicle production and exports in 2024. However, Mexican auto industry associations confirm investment in the sector has begun to slow on uncertainty tied to concerns over potential US tariffs and slow economic growth in 2025. Taking the base case that tariffs do not materialize, Banorte expects manufacturing to rebound in the second half of the year as uncertainty lifts and interest rates fall with rate cuts at the central bank. Mining, which makes up 12pc of the IMAI, was lower by 1pc in December, following a 0.5pc increase in November. The decline was again driven by the oil and gas production, falling by 2.5pc in December to mark a sixth consecutive monthly decline for hydrocarbons output. Construction, representing 19pc of the IMAI, contracted by 2.1pc in December with setbacks in all categories. This matched the November result, with Inegi recording declines in construction in five of the last seven months. From a year prior, industrial production fell by 2.4pc in December , while manufacturing fell by 0.3pc and construction declined by 7.1pc in December. Mining was down by 6.2pc. B y James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US inflation quickens to 3pc in January
US inflation quickens to 3pc in January
Houston, 12 February (Argus) — US consumer inflation accelerated in January to the fastest pace in half a year, supporting the Federal Reserve's recent decision to pause in its course of rate cuts. The consumer price index (CPI) rose by 3pc in January from a year before, accelerating from 2.9pc in December, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. That marked a fourth month of annual gains from a low of 2.4pc in September. Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy, rose by an annual 3.3pc in January from 3.2pc in December. The acceleration in inflation reinforces the Fed's decision last month to hold its target rate steady after three prior rate cuts. The Fed has said it does "not need to be in a hurry" to change its stance while it weighs the impacts of President Donald Trump's tariff policies and other "incoming information". Trump won the November election partly on a pledge to bring down inflation. The energy index rose by 1pc in January following a 0.5pc contraction through December. Gasoline fell by 0.2pc in January after a 3.5pc contraction through December. Piped gas rose by 4.9pc for a second month. Food rose by an annual 2.5pc, matching the prior month's annual gain. Eggs surged by an annual 53pc, as avian flu has slashed supply. Shelter rose by 4.4pc, accounting for 30pc of the overall monthly gain in CPI, slowing from 4.6pc in December. Services less energy services rose by 4.3pc in January following a 4.4pc gain New vehicles fell by 0.3pc after a 0.4pc contraction. Transportation services rose by an annual 8pc in January after a 7.3pc gain in December. Car insurance was up by an annual 11.8pc and airline fares were up by 7.1pc. CPI accelerated to 0.5pc in January from the prior month, the most since August 2023. That followed a monthly gain of 0.4pc in December, 0.3pc in November and three prior months of 0.2pc gains. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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Services
Key German price assessments
About Argus and O.M.R.
In July 2020, O.M.R. Oil Market Report was integrated into Argus Media's German subsidiary, Argus Media Germany, and now operates under the Argus Media name.
Both Argus Media, established in 1970, and O.M.R. Oil Market Report, established in 1985, were founded as family businesses. Now, they combine their long history and extensive experience in market reporting.
Our team of experts are in daily exchange with market participants in Germany and around the world, providing you with trusted prices, latest news and useful analyses on the German and northwest European markets.
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Conferences
Argus Green Marine Fuels Europe Conference
Argus Green Marine Fuels Europe Conference
Argus Road Transportation Fuels Europe Conference
Argus Road Transportation Fuels Europe Conference
Argus Road Transportation Fuels Europe Conference
Argus Road Transportation Fuels Europe Conference
