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With more than 83 million of the world’s wealthiest consumers, Germany is the largest market for food and agricultural products in the European Union. The German market offers good opportunities for U.S. exporters of consumer-oriented food and agriculture products, particularly nuts, fish and seafood products, dried fruits, bakery products, and organic products.

Germany is the third-largest importer of cherries in the world after China/Hong Kong and Russia. From 2010 to 2021, between 52 and 77 percent of the cherries consumed in Germany were imported, with the majority of imports originating in other EU member states.

The outcomes of COVID-19 pandemic have undeniably changed the gastronomic habits in Europe for the foreseeable future. Behaviors that developed over the lockdown months are continuing to shape purchasing preferences of German consumers.

Germany is one of the largest markets for fruit in Europe. The relative affluence of its population of 83 million people makes it an attractive outlet for exporters from many countries. This product brief highlights certain aspects of the German fresh fruit market and provides marketing, trade, and regulatory information for U.S. exporters.

Despite the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, retail sales revenues in Germany have grown continuously since 2019. In 2021, the German retail sector recorded over $618 billion euros in sales revenues. Retailers benefitted from higher consumer spending for premium food products, while food service businesses suffered from low hospitality and catering demand during the series of lockdowns put in place.

Germany, the largest economy in the European Union, is a large and promising pet food market. Imports of pet food account for more than half of the total market. While the market is mature and somewhat saturated, it is steadily growing.

Germany is an important fish and seafood market for U.S. in Europe exporters. The growing demand for high-quality fish and seafood offers opportunities for U.S. suppliers especially with the partial resumption of shellfish trade in 2022.

Following stagnation in 2020 and decline in 2021, the German food processing industry still cannot catch up with the growth dynamics of pre-pandemic period. According to BVE initial estimates, total sales of US$201.3 billion were generated across all sub-sectors in 2021, which is 1.6 percent lower than the previous year.

Germany is a Member State of the European Union (EU) and applies the certification requirements described in the EU Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Certification Report.

Germany is a member of the European Union (EU) and generally follows EU directives and regulations, including those relating to the importation of food products.

Hot topics of the 19th international “Fuels of the Future” congress included the EU’s Green Deal and “Fit for 55” package, biofuels and its alternatives (e-mobility, hydrogen, electricity-based fuels); CO2 pricing; and market conditions for biofuels and their feedstocks.

Germany is a Member State of the European Union (EU) and applies the certification requirements described in the EU Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Certification Report. Products not yet harmonized are subject to German national rules.