The Food and Beverage Sector in Germany and North Rhine-Westfalia

The German food and beverage industry is one of the largest industrial sectors in Germany. In 2007 the sector contributed a turnover of more than 147 bn. Euro to the German gross domestic product. The nominal growth of 6.8% lies above the overall growth of the economy. An increasing share of the industry's growth can be attributed to strongly rising exports which reached a level of 36.3 bn. Euro. Exports from North Rhine-Westphalia alone increased by almost 10 % over the last 5 years.

Asia and the Americas are promising prospects for German food and beverages. These markets have not been very busy in the past in importing food and beverages from Germany but they are on a continuous upward trend. Within the European Union Germany has become the largest producer of food among the 27 Member countries over the last years.

North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is the largest federal state of Germany. NRW has over 18 million inhabitants, it contributes about 22% to Germany's gross domestic product and comprises a land area of more than 34,000 km² (about 13,000 square miles). North Rhine-Westphalia is situated in the west of Germany and shares borders with Belgium and the Netherlands. With cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf and the former German capital Bonn as well as with the Ruhr-Area it hosts the largest metropolitan areas and the heart of the German industries.

German exporters have learnt to adapt their product range to the distinct preferences in other EU-Countries as well as abroad. Stimulated by the wide variety of consumer preferences in EU partner countries and regulated by a strict regime of food safety, German food and beverage industries have become successful export articles from the world´s leading export economy.

You can find food from NRW on leading trade fairs across the world. Use the opportunity to contact the exhibitors and get first hand information about their products and how you can avail of their quality and services.

There is much more to find out about German food and drinks than the famous German beer and sausages. Germany has a rich and diverse assortment of foods and specialties. There is hardly a place to find with such a wide assortment of breads like a German bakery. German chocolate, candy, cakes and cookies are also known all over the world, not only for their quality but also because of their uniqueness. Popular christmas specialties such as Stollen (yeast fruit bread), Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Printen (spiced ginger biscuits), Marzipan and Advent Calendars are exported all over the world and the famous “gummi bear” is a German invention from NRW.
Organic foods have a long tradition in Germany - since the emergence of the Green movement in the 1970s increasing attention has been paid to the production of healthy food and beverages.

In all product groups German producers from NRW deliver first class products in large standardized quantities matching the needs of large retail chains or manufacturers as well as regional specialities in limited quantities for selected import agencies, delicatessen stores or restaurants.

This guide "Food. Made in Germany" assists buyers in selecting the suppliers which match their specific needs. About 1.000 food processing companies are listed with their product range and their address information in six chapters according to the industry sector.
A directory of the assortments gives additional access to the suppliers by products.

The food and beverage industry in NRW is coordinated within a food cluster and supported by a cluster management. Please contact the cluster management for any assistance in finding the right supplier from NRW.

The Buyer´s guide "Food. made in Germany" is beeing distributed on trade fairs by institutions from NRW. It can be also ordered via the publisher or online bookstores.

ISBN: 978-3899475753