COUNTRY PROFILE
Discover more about the German market including overviews about the retail, foodservice, and food-processing sectors. Events, resources, and more are linked throughout the profile.
3rd
largest processed food export market from the U.S in Europe
84.1 Million
was the total population in Germany as of 2024
$398.3 Million
In 2024, U.S. processed food exports grew to US$398.3 million.
USDA’s Office of Agricultural Affairs (OAA) in Berlin hereinafter referred to as “FAS Post Berlin” reports that Germany is a major producer of food and agricultural products and a leading player in the global marketplace. It is also the third largest importer of agricultural and related products. In 2023, imports reached US$139 billion. While more than 80% of these imports originated from other EU member states, the U.S. being the third largest supplier outside the bloc after Brazil and Switzerland.
Germany is currently the third largest processed food export market from the U.S. in Europe. In 2024, U.S. processed food exports grew to US$398.3 million.
Top U.S. processed foods exported to Germany in 2024 included:
$133.8 Billion
estimated total of retail sales of packaged food products in 2024
76%
The top four grocers account for the total market
$147.4 Billion
estimated in sales of packaged food products by 2029
According to Euromonitor, retail sales in the packaged food market in Germany have been estimated at US$133.8 billion in 2024. Germany is the fourth largest packaged food market in the world. By the year 2029, the retail sales in the packaged food market in Germany is expected to reach US$147.4 billion.
FAS Post Berlin reports that the retail market’s key characteristics are consolidation, market saturation, strong competition, and low prices. The top four grocers account for around 76% of the total market. The German market is largely dominated by domestic players. This is particularly true for hypermarkets, supermarkets, and discounters.
FAS Post Berlin reports that U.S. products in the market that have good sales potential include: almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, organic products, products featuring “sustainable” or other social issue-based marketing labels, fish and seafood, dried and processed fruit, fruit juice concentrates, beef and game.
$91.3 Billion
total foodservice sales in 2023
FAS Post Berlin reports that the German Hotel, Restaurant, Institutional (HRI) foodservice sector is large and highly fragmented. German foodservice sales increased by 12.2% to US$91.3 billion in 2023 (compared to US$81.4 billion in 2022).
The German foodservice sector is dominated by full-service restaurants. Full-service restaurants continue to lead in consumer foodservice sales, and they make up the largest type within the gastronomy branch of the sector. Institutions are the smallest sector in foodservice which is mostly covered by caterers.
FAS Post Berlin reports that U.S. food products with good potential for increased sales in this sector include tree nuts, hops, sweet potatoes, pulses, fish and seafood and whiskey. Products not present in significant quantities but which have good sales potential include high-quality beef, cranberries and cranberry products, innovative sauces, condiments, confectionery products, and products featuring “sustainable” or other social issue-based marketing labels.
$251.5 Billion
In 2023, Germany food processing firms reached US$251.5 billion
90%
of German food processors have fewer than 250 employees
4th
food processing sector is the 4th largest sector in Germany
FAS Post Berlin reports that the food processing industry represents the fourth-largest industry in Germany. In 2023, the German food processing industry employed around 644,454 people in 5,961 companies. In 2023, the sector generated a turnover of roughly US$251.5 billion, accounting for 5.6% of German GDP. The largest subsectors by value were meat (22%), dairy (16%), bakery (10%), and confectionary (8%), and prepared meals (7%).
FAS Post Berlin reports that U.S. products in the market that have good sales potential include: nuts; highly processed ingredients; fish and seafood; dried and processed fruits; fruit juice concentrates; beef and game; organic products; and products featuring “sustainable” or other social issue-based marketing label.
