Upcoming Trade Shows in Germany for Food & Drink

Germany boasts a thriving food and drinks industry: one of the key building blocks of the country’s economy. Recent years have seen the sector generate massive profit as the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us and welcome influential international companies to move into its market. Germany proudly holds the title of Europe’s largest food producer with its food and drinks industry ranking as the country’s fourth-largest sector. Characterized by a robust small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector comprising nearly 6000 companies, the industry generated EUR 220 billion in production value in 2022. That very same year, Germany solidified its position as the third-largest exporter of food and beverages worldwide, boasting EUR 76.6 billion in sales from processed foods and agricultural commodities. Major sub-segments leading the export charge included Meat (21.5%), Dairy (17.1%), Baked Goods (9.1%), and Confectionery & Long-Life Bakery Products (7.4%). Germany is home to both national and international giants such as the Dr. Oetker Group, Südzucker, Arla, Mondelēz Deutschland, Nestlé and Cargill. An impressive list of household names that shows off the country’s diversity of industry players. Foreign investments are driving the sector further. Dutch online supermarket company Picnic is making waves in Germany with plans to develop two state-of-the-art logistics properties in Kaltenkirchen and Falkensee. This forward-looking initiative aligns with Picnic’s strategy to bolster its presence in the German market. The company promotes sustainability through energy-efficient features like photovoltaic systems and LED lighting. In response to evolving consumer preferences and supply challenges, Dutch-German meat group Vion is investing around EUR 50 million in demand-oriented regional programs. By establishing balanced supply chains in eastern Germany and Bavaria, Vion aims to cater to regional tastes, capitalize on the trend towards locally sourced produce, and solidify its role as a robust food retail partner.